But her jaw is set. Her spine straight. Even now, even battered and invaded, she’s holding herself together through sheer bloody-minded determination.
Gods, she’s magnificent.
“You should sit.” Her voice is dry. Measured. The tone she uses when she’s barely keeping it together. “You look like you’re about to vibrate out of your skin.”
I drop into the chair beside her bed. “Can’t help it. My dragon’s been losing his mind since she touched you.”
“Your dragon.”
“He’s very invested in your well-being.” I run a hand through my hair, realize I’m proving Selene’s point about hovering, and force myself to stop. “Also murderous. Mostly murderous, actually. The investment is just an excuse for the homicidal urges.”
Her mouth curves. Just barely, but it’s there. The hint of a smile that makes something loosen in my chest. “Charming.”
“I try.”
The silence that falls is different from before. Charged. I’m aware of the space between us—the few feet that feel like miles. Aware of the way her pulse jumps in her throat when our eyes meet. Aware of my own heartbeat, too fast, too loud.
“You stepped between us.” She says it like a statement, but I hear the question underneath. “In the cavern. You were partially shifted, facing down something that could destroy you without effort, and you didn’t hesitate.”
“Of course, I didn’t.”
“Why?”
The word hangs in the air. Simple question. Complicated answer.
Because you’re mine. Because the thought of her touching you made my dragon want to tear down mountains. Because in three weeks, you’ve somehow become essential in a way I can’t explain without sounding completely unhinged.
“You’re pack.” The words come out rougher than I intend. “You’re under my protection. My—“ I stop. Start again. “I don’t let people hurt what matters to me.”
“What matters to you.” She echoes the phrase, and I can’t tell if it bothers her or not. Her expression is too guarded. “Valdris said I was hers. Called me her property.”
“It’s not the same.”
“No?”
“She meant ownership. Possession.” I lean forward, bracing my elbows on my knees. The position puts me closer to her, close enough to catch the faint scent of smoke and wildflowers that clings to her skin. Close enough to see the way her breath catches. “I told you last night. Not ownership. Just... belonging. You belong with us. With the Brotherhood. With?—“
With me.
The words hang unspoken. I watch her process them—watch the way her gaze drops to my mouth for just a second before snapping back to my eyes.
“She’ll use it against you.” Aisling’s voice drops. “The brand. If you stay close to me, she’ll find a way to hurt you through me. Track you. Target you. Everything she said about you being reckless, burning out before you matter?—“
“I don’t care what she said about me.”
“You should.” She leans forward too, unconsciously mirroring my posture. The movement brings us closer. “She’s cruel in ways we can’t fathom. Patient. If she decides to use me as a weapon against you?—“
“Then we’ll deal with it.” I reach out, slowly enough that she can pull away if she wants. My fingers close around her unbranded hand, and the contact sends heat racing up my arm. Her skin is soft. Warm. Alive. “Together. That’s the deal.”
“What deal? I don’t remember agreeing to any deal.”
“The deal where you stop trying to push people away and let them help you instead.” I trace my thumb across her knuckles, and her breath stutters. “Selene told me about that tendency. Said you’ve been doing it since you woke up in the infirmary.”
“Selene talks too much.”
“Selene cares. Same thing.” I continue the slow stroke of my thumb, watching the way her pupils dilate slightly. “Look. I know you’re used to handling everything yourself. Organizing everything into neat categories until you feel steady. But this—“ I nod toward her wrist, toward the brand glowing beneath her sleeve. “—this isn’t something you can organize away. This is war. And in war, you need allies.”
“Is that what you are? An ally?”
