I force myself to breathe through the tension in my ribs. Through the absolute certainty settling into my bones.
Therion leans back on his hands, inhaling deeply. Then—his voice softer, but no less edged, “So what now? What does this mean?”
I don’t hesitate.
“It means we’ll find another way.”
Therion exhales sharply, shaking his head. “Kael?—”
“No.” There is nothing uncertain in my tone. Nothing to argue against. “She is not a pawn. We’ll find another way.”
Therion leans forward, dragging his hands through his hair—exhaustion and frustration settling into his posture. He braces his arms on his knees, flask dangling from his fingers. “We don’t have another way, brother.” He exhales audibly. “We’ve been trying for years. This—she—was our last hope.” He steels himself then, knowing that whatever he’s about to say will toe a line I won’t like, “And,” his eyes penetrating, “sheisa pawn.”
My patience snaps.
I turn to face him fully, my voice like shattered stone.
“So if it were Seren? If we were meant to useher—would you be fine withthat?”
The words hit him like a strike to the ribs. His head whips toward me so fast I think he might actually throw the flask at my head.
Silence.
Not even the fire cracks between us.
Therion swallows once. Twice. His jaw flexes. “That’s not the same.”
I let the silence stretch until he meets my stare again.
“Isn’t it?” My tone is even. Controlled. “I see the way you look at her. Would you throw her to the monsters and let them destroy her?” I seethe.
He shakes his head vehemently, words not forthcoming. His throat bobs. I’ve clearly struck a nerve. “This is different, Kael.” His voice is quieter. But we both know it’s a lie.
I lean in, resting my elbows on my knees. “No, it’s not.”
Therion exhales hard, frustration twisting his features. “And you think Maldrak will just give us another way? That he’ll just let us rewrite the game because your heart—or worse, your cock—is dictating strategy?”
“I will not say it again without drawing my blade—this isn’t about fucking her.”
Therion scoffs, but there’s an edge to it. “Then what? What is it, Kael? Because whatever this is, it’s irrational?—”
I turn to him fully, teeth bared in a snarl, voice like a war drum. “I would burn down the fucking realms for her.”
The words hang between us like a blade.
Therion’s breath stutters. A rare slip.
He looks at me then, truly looks at me, and whatever he sees in my face makes his expression go blank.
No anger. No calculation. Just understanding.
Because he finally knows.
Finally fucking knows.
I’m lost in this. And there’s no pulling me back.
The fire crackles in the silence.
