“I was just going to help you into the bath.”
“That’s probably not a good idea right now.” My eyes helplessly trek over her body.
“That’s on brand for us, isn’t it?” she flirts.
I laugh, shaking my head, relishing the word “us” rolling off her tongue.
“I’m okay,” I insist, nodding toward the door.
She looks torn. “I’m going to grab Kai or Dover. Just in case you need help.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine.”
“I—” She stares at me for a beat longer, nodding awkwardly. “Yeah. Okay.”
Then she ducks out of the cabin, face still adorably flushed.
Yes. Bad idea is definitely our brand.
But fuck it.
I’m tired of caring.
89
SERENA
5 DAYS
What the fuck was that?
Once again, I have thrown myself at Zadyn like some hormone-crazed teenager. I have no idea what’s gotten into me. I just couldn’t stop myself from pushing him. From pressing those buttons and watching him give himself over to this thing between us.
It’s addicting—driving him to the very brink and watching his restraint stretch to the point of snapping.
I press my back against the cabin door and squint up at the afternoon sun.
I can no longer outrun the fact that things are different. ThatIfeel differently toward him.
Something changed ever since he opened his eyes. Since I followed that thread inside of me that binds us and saw that he and I are embedded in each other’s souls. I saw our bond as clear as if it were a tangible thing. A braided chord of liquid starlight that was so painfully bright to behold. It glows inside us, the same exact shade, the same luminosity.
Which is why I can’t lie to him. If what Margot said is true—it would change everything between us. And that would break my heart.
So I can’t involve him. Not until I figure out this mess on my own.
“That was fast,” Kai cracks, sidling up to me. I shoot him a glare.
“You’re hilarious.”
“I know.”
“Will you go in there? Make sure he doesn’t fall or anything?”
“Listen to you, like a fussy little mother.”
“Kai.”
“I’m going, I’m going.”
