Kane holds my face in both hands as he digests those words, and then—so soft I almost miss it—the small shadow slithers up my calf.
It feels like Kane. Possessive, protective, yet impossibly gentle. It coils around my waist just as Kane leans in and kisses me.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to Kane simply taking what he wants from me. I sink into him, let him lead, let him know I’ll never pull away—not anymore.
My fingers skim his chest as we kiss, frowning when I realise—“You put a shirt on. Why?”
A corner of his mouth lifts, as he presses one last, soft kiss to my lips… then steps back.
Behind him, Ezekial lowers his phone. “I’ve asked the elemental to return… after,” he says, voice casual but careful.
After.
That’s when it hits me. He got dressed because we can’t stay here. Not in this room, or wrapped in this moment. Not today. The barrier removal.
The warmth inside me dims, like twilight bleeding into morning.
“How long do we have?” I murmur.
“A few more hours,” Julien answers.
I nod, trying to ignore the dread beginning to curl inside me.
I’ve spent the last few days pretending it wasn’t coming. Maybe that was selfish and naïve. But I can’t avoid it any longer.
Soon, the barrier will fall. The district will reopen.
And with it thousands of beings will re-enter the place they haven’t stepped foot in for months. And somewhere among them… might be the people I once called family.
The ones who found me outside that very barrier
“What’s the protocol?” I ask, needing the distraction.
Ezekial is beside me, brushing the back of his hand down my arm. “The mayor of the Entertainment District will arrive with Delphine. The air elements are set to drop the lockdown barrier at 8:00 a.m. Then the Lead Commanders and their units will meet her as she steps through first.”
I frown. “But what about you?”
“Delphine has always been the public face of the Council. That was our agreement. We’ll be in my office, watching the proceedings and awaiting her.”
“But what if something goes wrong—”
“Then I will be with you.” He tilts my chin up with his fingers, hovering his mouth over mine. “Exactly where I belong.”
He brushes his lips with mine several times. Light, breath-stealing touches, then pulls away with a smile.
“Okay,” I whisper.
He nods, satisfied with my small, breathless answer, then glances back at his phone. “We need to head in. Finalise everything.”
His words bring silence, everyone becoming lost in their own thoughts.
I might be about to see the only family I’ve ever known, and no matter what I’ve promised my bonds… I still feel their doubt. Not because they don’t trust me, but because they care too much not to be afraid.
I take in the room again, at everything they’ve built. Every quiet choice, and every loud one.
Then down at my fingers, brushing the small shadow now curled at my side. It flickers, but stays.
And so will I.
