CHAPTER 20
Ember’s heart pounded against her ribs as she met Rykan’s golden gaze across the suddenly too-small cabin. The silence stretched between them, heavy with everything they’d been dancing around for weeks.
You first,she’d demanded. But now, standing here with the door closed against the cold and no more excuses to hide behind, she found the words tumbling out before he could speak.
“I really do have to go back.”
His expression didn’t change, but resignation flickered in those golden eyes, the look of a male bracing for a blow he’d known was coming.
“I know,” he said quietly.
“No.” She stepped closer, closing the distance between them until she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “Let me finish.”
He went still, with that predator’s stillness she’d come to recognize as intense focus. Waiting. Watching.
“I have to go back,” she repeated, her voice steadier now. “Marina tried to kill me. She’s controlling my father’s company, everything he built, and everything he trusted me to protect. I can’t let that stand. I won’t.”
“I understand.”
“But that’s not—” She reached out, her fingers finding the rough fabric of his sleeve. The contact steadied her, gave her an anchor. “That’s not all I wanted to say.”
His jaw tightened. She could see the tension coiled in his shoulders, the careful way he was holding himself back. Like he was afraid of what she might say next. Like he was preparing to let her walk away.
Not this time,she thought fiercely.Not without a fight.
“I want to be with you.” The words came out stronger than she expected, ringing in the quiet cabin like a declaration. “Whatever happens when I get back, whatever I have to face—I want you. I’ve wanted you since the moment I opened my eyes in that escape pod and saw you looking at me like I was someone worth saving.”
His breath caught. She watched his throat work as he swallowed, watched the golden glow intensify in his eyes as his beast rose closer to the surface.
“Ember—”
“I know it’s complicated. I know my life isn’t simple, and I can’t promise it will be easy. But I’m tired of pretending I don’t feel this. I’m tired of holding back because I’m afraid of what might happen.” She tightened her grip on his sleeve, pulling herselfcloser. “Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me to leave, and I will. But don’t push me away because you think it’s what I need.”
For a long moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just looked at her with those burning golden eyes, his expression unreadable.
Then, slowly, carefully, like he was handling something infinitely precious and terrifyingly fragile, “Could I come with you?”
The words landed in her chest like a spark catching kindling.
“What?”
“To Port Cantor.” His voice was rough, uncertain in a way she’d never heard from him before. “When you go back. Could I… Would you want me to come with you?”
Joy burst through her, so sudden and overwhelming that tears pricked at her eyes. She’d hoped—gods, she’d hoped—but she hadn’t wanted to presume that he’d be willing to leave his mountains and his solitude and the life he’d built for himself in exile.
Tessa had finally given her the courage to ask but he’d beat her to it, offering her exactly what she’d been afraid to want.
“Are you sure?” She searched his face, looking for doubt, for hesitation. “You said you didn’t like being around people, and I am always surrounded by people. My life is… it’s going to be difficult. Political complications, corporate warfare, an aunt who wants me dead. I can’t promise you peace or simplicity.”
“I don’t want peace.” He reached up, his huge hand gently cupping her jaw. His thumb traced the curve of her cheekbone, leaving trails of heat in its wake. “I don’t want simplicity. I want you.”
“But your territory. Your independence. Everything you’ve built here?—”
“Mean nothing.” His other hand found her waist, drawing her closer until their bodies pressed together. “They means nothing without you. I spent six years convincing myself that solitude was enough. That I didn’t need anyone, didn’t want anyone. Then you crashed into my mountain and made me remember what it felt like to be alive.”
Her breath caught. She could feel his heart pounding against her palm where it rested on his chest—fast and hard, belying the control in his voice.
“Rykan—”
