“I never asked you to die for me.”
I didn’t respond.
Didn’t let the words settle.
I was already moving, ignoring the way my body screamed in protest. I knelt besideDarian, pressing theback of my hand against his fevered skin.
Worse. Hispulse was weak, his breathing too shallow. This deal was theonly thingbetween him anddeath. I would’ve givenevery nightif I had to.
I lifted my head and caughtCindrissian watching me.
I threw him a lethal glare.“Do you have a problem?”
Cindrissian tilted his head, considering. “No.”
Linclet out another growl, pacing furiously, his chestrising and falling in erratic, angry breaths. “You are a gods-damn idiot, Isara. Do you even?—”
“Shut up.” I didn’t mean to shout. But if I didn’t, I’d fall apart. And I couldn’t afford to fall apart.
Lincfroze. His jaw clenched, his hands fisting so tightly at his sides his knuckles were white. He glared at me for a moment longer before he stormed to acorner of the cell,his body tremblingas he tried to calm himself down.
Shaelith’s gaze returned to me. Her lethal expressionsoftened a fraction. Then, she turned away, herhands findingBrynelle, who wascrying now. Not from sorrow, but fromsheer, unbearable frustration.
Shaelith cupped her face, pressingtheir foreheads together, murmuring wordstoo quiet for any of us to hear.
But Varyth?—
Wecollided like a storm.
“You’re a gods-damned idiot.”
“You think I give a shit?”Isnarled back, stepping closer,shoving against his chest. “I’m not going to let Darian or Fenric die because you’re too proud to let me make a gods-damned deal.”
“I don’t give a fuck, Isara!”
I glared at him, “I?—”
“No.No.” Headvanced, his body towering over mine,his fury unbearable. “You don’t get to act like I’m the one who fucking—” He cut off, dragging a shaking hand through his hair.
Igathered myself. “It’s done.” I lifted my chin. “You need to let it go, Varyth.”
“You’re going to be alone with that bastard for a night a week.” His breath came ragged. “I can’t let that go.”
Throughclenched teeth, I hissed, “Why the hell not?”
Varyth’sentire body snapped taut.
His hands were shaking now, his entire frame trembling with the effort of holding himself together. “Because I—” He stopped, jaw working, eyes squeezed shut like the words were being torn from him. “Fuck.”
I stared at him, my heart hammering against my ribs, something fragile and terrifying unfurling in my chest. “Varyth?—”
“Don’t.” His eyes snapped open, silver blazing with an anguish so profound it stole my breath. “Don’t say anything. Not now. Not like this.”
The cell had gone utterly silent around us. Even Darian’s laboured breathing seemed muted, as though the very air was holding its breath.
Varythstalked toward me, his entirebody humming with unchecked energy.
When he reached me, his hands found my face, fingers trembling as they traced my cheekbones.
