“But if we helped each other...” Lucien frowned. “What does that mean?”
“No idea.” I exhaled heavily. “It’s all guesswork. I’m just...thinking aloud.”
“Well, think louder.” Lucien didn’t blink. “Are you telling me we’ll die if we don’t have the other? Are we locked in some sort of curse that only functions if we’re together?”
“I...” Had no reply to that. Another question made me sit straight as an arrow. “Dil...have you ever heard of the R gene? Have you ever read a file that might suggest my parents had something to do with Lucien...as well as me? Any paperwork with the name Ashfall or Furnace Heart?”
Dillon frowned. “I don’t think so.”
My shoulders deflated.
“Actually...”
I winced. “Actually?”
“Now that you mention it...I might have heard the name Ashfall at some point.”
Lucien went absolutely, lethally still.
I waited for him to lose it, but...he merely swallowed hard and changed the subject. “Tell me,Dillon.Knowing what you do now—knowing that the necklace is the reason Rook spent her entire life in misery...would you put the pendant back on her?”
“What sort of question is that?” Dillon glowered. “Of course I wouldn’t if it hurt her, but...if what you just said is true and it was the only thing keeping her alive...what choice did I have?”
“And ifI’mthe one keeping her alive now...will you try to take her away from me?”
Dillon eyed us before shaking his head. “No. If she’s happy and safe and no longer in pain, then I’m happy for her. I don’t need to know anything else.”
“If Snowflake Corp orders you to bring her back—if they command you to sedate her and drag her back in chains, what would you do?”
“Okay, now you’re just getting on my nerves.” Dillon sat taller. “As far as I’m concerned RookisSnowflake Corp. She’s in charge. I’m loyal only to her. And she wouldn’t exactly order me to hurt herself now, would she?”
“What if governments find out? What if people in very high places try to harm her...then what?”
“Then I guess I’ll be very unpopular in multiple countries.”
“You’re prepared to die to protect her?”
“I was prepared to do that well before she met you, you asshole.”
“Fine.” Grabbing me in his strong arms, Lucien suddenly swooped to his feet.
I squeaked as his hands deliberately skated over my body before placing me carefully on my feet.
“You can sleep in the study. I’ll have Auntie Mei find you a free pavilion tomorrow.” Pointing in Dillon’s face, he added, “I don’t like you. I don’t trust you, but you can stay.” Snatching myhand, his skin burned volcanically hot. “Do your job and protect her. But for tonight, donotleave this room.”
“Fine.” Dillon settled deeper in the chair. Reaching into one of his many jacket pockets, he pulled out a granola bar. “After the past few days I’ve had, sitting still is a luxury.”
Lucien tugged me toward the door. “Come with me.”
“Wait.” I tried slamming on the brakes. “I can’t just leave him. He needs a blanket, pyjamas—”
“Do you want me to throw you over my shoulder? Because I will.”
“Oh.” I stopped fighting.
He dragged me back to his room so fast, it almost felt as if he summoned those smoky wings and flew.
Chapter Fifty-Five
