The word detonates inside the center of my skull, reverberating so loudly that it almost makes me dizzy.
I pause, and the universe feels like it’s holding its breath, as my eyes refocus, meeting Sin’s terrified gaze.
Slowly, I exhale, the single breath pulling back every trace of volatile power.
“Did you just safe word me?” I ask, a little dazed, even as tremors start to wrack through me.
Sin is on me the second the words are out, and we collapse onto the ground. He hugs me so tightly that I can hardly draw a breath.
“Fates, kitten. You fucking scared me,” he utters against my hair. His voice is hoarse, and his hands shake.
It feels like someone has been painting my insides with a hot poker. I melt further into his touch, needing him closer.
We stay like that, silently comforted that we’re both alive, until we both stop shaking.
“I’m getting worse,” I finally whisper, and a tear runs down my cheek.
This is too soon. I need to at least make it through the war. I need to protect Sin, to keep my friends safe, and free everyone still trapped under Need’s control. I have to help them, but my body is crumbling.
“Please. I am fucking begging you. Please take part of my soul. Don’t do this,” Sin begs.
The usual strength behind his words is gone. They’re desperate and afraid, like he’s breaking right alongside me.
“I can’t,” I whisper, shifting in his embrace to meet his tortured gaze.
“Why? Please… just tell me why,” he pleads, unshed tears clinging to his lashes.
My heart clenches. Sin has been in my head since we were at the party, but he still hasn’t gone looking for answers that I’m not ready to give.
“Because I love you,” I whisper back.
His eyes soften, just for a moment. “But then why won’t–” he starts.
“It’s okay. You can enter my thoughts and see for yourself.” I try to give him a reassuring smile, savoring this moment before our relationship is forever changed.
He hesitates, searching my eyes to make sure I mean it.
Reaching up, I give him a small kiss before whispering against his lips, “It’s okay, I trust you.”
That’s all the reassurance he needs, and in the next moment, his hand fists into the hair at the base of my neck, and he crushes our mouths together. The kiss is desperate, searching, and I can vaguely feel him in my mind.
I kiss him back with everything I have, our teeth clashing as I try to draw out this moment for as long as possible, until finally, it happens.
Sin pulls away, looking furious. “You think I don’t love you?”
My gaze drops, and a piece of my heart breaks. “It’s okay, you don’t need to pretend. I felt you through the mate bond. And knowing that I’m special to you, that you care for me and want me… It’s more than I ever could have hoped for. I’m–”
“Stop. Fucking. Talking,” Sin growls. His tattoos flare as he pulls away even further and stands.
Grief crashes over me, threatening to pull me under as more tears stream down my face.
It’s happening. He’s going to put up walls. He’s shutting me out for good.
Sin tugs me up to stand, but doesn’t release my hand as he storms out of the room. His tattoos flash a little brighter, just for a second.
Rage radiates from him, and I hustle to match his pace.
“What are we doing?” I ask, remembering Hades’ advice that Sin either fix me or put me down.
