He’s dying–
And he knew it.
“You don’t get to die quick,” Sebastian said, and Kara swore, he almost smiled.
Cade turned his head towards Kara and lifted one trembling, blood-slicked hand. Reaching for her. Even now.
Don’t you dare–
She recoiled, pressing herself further into the wall. Revulsion crawled over her skin.
“Kara...” Cade rasped, blood bubbling between his lips. “Healer... help me...”
Help?
He thought she would save him? After what he did? She couldn’t... she wouldn’t. He was a monster. But before she’d said any of it, Sebastian moved.
“You bastard–” he snarled as he kicked Cade’s hand away from her, hard enough for him to cry out. Then he stamped down on it.
“Help? You are not worthy to even speak her name,” he spat venomously. “Not after what you’ve done.”
Cade moaned as Sebastian crouched low, his face close enough that Cade had to look him in the eye.
“She owes you nothing,” Sebastian said, disgusted. “Not her magic. Not her mercy. Not a single fucking breath.”
She couldn’t look away. Not from him. He looked untouchable, unstoppable, lit in crimson fire. The rage was all for her. A week ago, she might have feared it. But now... she understood it. Loved him even more for it. Cade’s lips twisted in pain and spite as he jerked his head towards Kara strung against the wall.
“She screamed your name,” he rasped, every word a struggle. “Begged for you to come. You weren’t there.”
Guilt and pain flashed across Sebastian’s face. Kara’s heart lurched.
No – don’t listen–
That’s what Cade wanted. To carve guilt into him with his final breath.
When Sebastian answered, he spoke so low that Kara could only just hear him. “I’m here now. And you will never touch her again.”
Sebastian stood, turned to Kara and didn’t spare him another glance. Another deathly gurgle – then the room fell into silence.
He’s dead.
Kara just stared.
Her blood rushed loudly in her ears.
Sebastian wasalive. He hadn’t been tied to some courtyard pyre.
He crossed the room to her in three long strides, the fury in his face softening only when he reached her. Sebastian lifted his hand to her cheek, but hesitated before touching her. Like he feared she wouldn’t want him to. Like she’d be afraid.
Of you? Never.
She leaned in.
He brushed her cheek once, fleetingly gentle – a stark contrast to what she’d just seen him do. Her heart leapt. He reached for her skirt, glanced back once – she gave him wordless permission. He pulled it down, covering her, giving her back her dignity. As soon as he’d done that, he reached up and unhooked her wrists from the wall. The moment she was freed, her legs gave out and she collapsed into him. He caught her, arms wrapped carefully around her, lowering like she was the most fragile thing in the world.
“It’s okay, Kara. I’m here.”
“You came–” she stuttered, her voice breaking.
