Serena looks at our friends like it might be the last time—which has me deeply concerned. But I don’t say anything as she reaches for my hand. We’ve just made it to the door when Kai calls out, “Savior.”
She turns.
“Give him hell.”
Nodding, she says, “All the hell he deserves.”
Serena’s headnuzzles against my bare chest. I drag the tips of my fingers down her arms, listening to the sound of her breaths.
“Do you still think we’re doing the right thing?” she asks.
I hope so. But I don’t know. Margot’s message to Serena wasn’t exactly comforting. Or clear.
“Kylian needs to be stopped. For various reasons.” I tilt my head to look down at her. “But that doesn’t mean you have to do this. Not if you don’t want to.”
“But the deal?—”
“Fuck the deal, we’ll figure something out.” I push up to my elbows. “If we have to run until we can find a way to kill him, then you and I will go someplace. I’m not letting you go. Not now. Not ever.”
Her lilac eyes blink up at me. “If I leave, he’ll kill everyone I know.”
“I can’t lose you.” My voice is no more than a whisper. It’s my deepest fear. One that came far too close to becoming a reality the last time Kylian backed her into a corner.
She cranes her neck to peer at me. “Please don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
“Then stop trying to leave me.”
She closes her eyes and sighs.
“Zadyn—” I cut her off with a kiss. She kisses me back for a moment, then breaks away.
Can I tell you something without you trying to convince me not to do this?
No promises.
She rolls her eyes but continues,I know I’m supposed to be strong like my ancestors. Brave. But I’m scared. I just have this feeling that something bad is about to happen.
My heart cinches as I drag her forehead to mine.Then don’t go.
What did I just say? I need you to be objective for two seconds.
You want me to be objective? Fine. What do you think makes someone strong? Brave? It isn’t being fearless. It’s having fear. It’s coming face to face with it and deciding to fight anyway.
So you see why I can’t turn and run. I wouldn’t be the person you fell in love with if I did.
When will you understand that no matter what you do, I will love you?
I won’t be a coward, Zadyn.
I don’t care what you are as long as you’re alive.
He won’t kill me. He wants me too much.
Serena—
“Please,” she says out loud. “I just want to spend this night with you. I don’t want to talk about Kylian. I just want you. So just be here with me. Okay?”
I rake my fingers through her hair, and she yields to my touch, her eyes closing. This time when we kiss, we don’t stop.
