“Iwantto help. I need to, and you don’t get to decide that for me.”
Frustration flickered in his gaze. “You’re shaking, and you pushed yourself too far.”
“I decide how far is too far.”
“Maybe I decide for you when you’re about to fall over.” His arm banded my waist. “Come with me.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but his grip tightened.
“Don’t make me drag you off,” he growled, steering me away from the camps.
48
KNEELING KINGS
He closed the door behind us, and I yanked my wrist free and moved toward the window.
“Sit down,” he barked.
“I’m fine standing.”
“Aelie.”
I whirled on him. “You can’t order me around.”
“Sit,” he said softly, “or I’ll make you.”
I sat on his bed.
Kairos knelt and reached for my hands, peeling off my gloves. The leather had fused to my skin in places, and I hissed as blood welled along the creases of my palms.
He let out a growl. “I can’t watch you do this to yourself.”
“Then don’t watch.”
His grip eased, but he didn’t let go. “I can’t.”
That landed heavier than anything he’d barked at me.
“You welcome pain like it’s a language you’re fluent in,” he murmured. “But every time you’re hurt, it feels like I’m the one being cut open.”
My chest ached.
“If you never broke another rune again, that would be fine with me.”
“I don’t break runes because I want to be hurt,” I whispered. “I do it because sometimes it’s the only way to help people.”
He healed my cuts with a sweep of his thumb, then his giant hand engulfed mine.
“Why do you care about them?”
I didn't have an answer that wouldn't expose me.
“You're only here because I forced you.” His jaw tightened. “I dragged you to this realm.”
“That’s not why I’m still here.”
His touch slid from my wrist to my thigh. “Why then?”
