At some point, Reeyan orders food, and we eat without stopping our work. His hand brushes mine when he passes me a document. I don’t pull away.
“The ceremony site,” I begin, studying the map. “Evangeline wants it at the border between Grayhide and Llewelyn territories. Why there specifically?”
“The ritual needs to be performed where two territories meet. Something about magical boundaries and the curse’s original anchoring points.” He points to a spot marked with an X. “This location gives us natural advantages for defense and puts us close enough to both territories that reinforcements can reach us quickly if needed.”
“My aunt isn’t going to like this. Having the ceremony outside Llewelyn territory.”
“This is about breaking a curse, not appeasing political sensibilities.”
“Spoken like someone who doesn’t have to deal with Matriarch Lydia’s displeasure.”
A smile tugs at his mouth. “You’re right. I’ll leave that to you.”
I find myself smiling back before I can stop it. Then I catch myself and focus back on the map.
But something has changed. The anger is still there. The resentment over being forced into this situation. But underneath it, something else is growing. Something that might be curiosity. Or interest. Or the first fragile threads of trust.
We spend another hour finalizing details. Plans for transporting the ritual materials. Backup communication systems in case something goes wrong. Evacuation routes, if we need them. By the time we finish, shadows stretch long across the floor, and my shoulders ache from hunching over the table.
I stand and stretch. Reeyan does the same, rolling his neck until it cracks.
“Thank you,” he tells me. “For agreeing to this. I know it’s not what you wanted.”
“No. It’s not. But I’m doing it anyway. For my pack. For the women who come after me. And maybe…” I pause, not sure I want to finish the sentence.
“Maybe?” he prompts.
“Maybe because some part of me wants to see what happens when the curse breaks. When I can finally feel everything without that barrier between me and the world. Even if it terrifies me.”
Reeyan moves closer. Not touching, but close enough that I can feel his energy brush against my skin. “You’re going to be extraordinary when you’re free of it.”
“I’m terrified.”
“Good.” His voice goes soft. “Anyone who wasn’t scared of breaking a three-hundred-year-old curse would be an idiot. But you’re doing it anyway. That’s what courage looks like.”
My breath catches. The way he says it. The look in his eyes. For the first time since this started, I let myself wonderwhat it would be like to accept this bond. To stop fighting and see where it leads.
“I can take you back to Raegan’s if you want. Give you some space.”
The offer surprises me. After everything he’s said about not letting me go anywhere alone, I expected him to insist I stay here, where he can keep watch. But he’s giving me a choice.
“No. I’ll stay here. We have work to do tomorrow, and it makes more sense than going back and forth.”
He bites the inside of his mouth, I suspect to suppress a smile, before he gestures down the hall. “The guest room is yours for as long as you need it.”
“I know.” I pick up my jacket and fold it over my arm. “Thank you. For giving me the choice.”
He nods once. “Always. From now on.”
The word is a promise. A vow. And for the first time since he forced me into this situation, I believe he means it.
I head toward the hallway, then pause at the doorway. “Reeyan?”
“Yeah?”
“A few days from now, everything changes. For both of us.”
His green eyes hold mine. “I know.”
