Actually fights me.
She hits my chest with fists that have no strength behind them.
Pushes against me with arms that can barely lift.
"Let me go!"
"Never."
"I won't—I won't go back—I won't be your trained pet for that showcase—I won't?—"
So she did read the invitation.
Understood exactly what I've been preparing her for.
"We'll discuss that later," I say, wrapping my arms around her more firmly. "Right now, you're freezing to death and I'm not letting that happen."
I pull the thermal blanket from my pack with one hand while keeping her contained with the other.
Wrap it around her shoulders even as she attempts to shrug it off.
"I hate you," she says through chattering teeth.
"I know."
"I'd rather die than go back to you."
The words hit like a punch to the gut, but I don't let her see that.
"Too bad," I say. "You don't get that choice. You gave up your choice when you ran."
I pull her tighter against me.
Feel how cold she is through her clothes, through her skin.
How badly she's shivering.
She could have died out here.
Could have frozen during the night.
Could have gotten hurt and been unable to call for help.
Could have?—
The rage and fear and relief all crash together in my chest.
"You could have died," I say, and my voice isn't cold anymore. It's raw. Angry. Shaking with emotions I can't control. "You could have fucking died, Eden. For what? To prove a point? To show me you'd rather freeze than submit?"
"To be free," she whispers.
The word hangs between us.
Free.
Like that's something she could ever be.
Like I would ever let her be.
