"Yes."
The simplicity of his admission was like a knife between my ribs. "Did the crew know?" I asked, dreading the answer. "Were they all part of your plan too?"
"No," Cypher said firmly. "Only Jask knew parts of it. The others were in the dark."
I laughed bitterly. "How considerate of you, limiting the number of people who betrayed me."
"I did what was necessary for my people," he said. "I won't apologize for that. You were a stranger."
"Your people," I echoed. "And what am I to younow, Cypher? I was almost beginning to believe I could beoneof your people. But I guess that was never true, was it? I'm only a vessel to you."
Blatant pain flickered in his copper eyes. "You know that's not true."
"Do I?" I stepped closer, fury giving me courage. "Because from where I'm standing, everything between us has been a lie. Every moment, every conversation, every—" I faltered, unable to say the word 'kiss.' "All of it, orchestrated to keep me compliant, to make sure I'd do what you needed."
"Not everything," he said quietly. "Some things cannot be faked."
Heat flooded my cheeks as I scowled at him. "How convenient that you'd say that now."
Cypher ran a hand through his hair and growled in frustration. "I won't deny manipulating circumstances to bring you here. I needed you, and I did what I had to do. But my feelings for you are real. They've complicated everything. I never wanted to hurt you. You have to believe that."
"I don't have to believe anything you say ever again," I spat, turning back to my pack. "I'm leaving. I'm going home to my family—the family you put in danger for your own selfishness."
"And how will you get there? We're in a dead realm, with only one ship and one crew who knows the way back through the Gallery."
I whirled to face him. "Are you threatening to keep me prisoner?"
"Of course not. I'm simply pointing out the reality of our situation. You're free to go if you find a way. But I'm asking you to stay. To hear me out completely."
"Why should I listen to another word you say?"
"Because despite everything, you care about what happens to the Nytherian refugees. Because you've seen what the Assembly is capable of. And because deep down, you know your connection to the First Dark isn't something you can run from."
I hated that he was right. Hated that even now, angry and betrayed as I was, part of me still wanted to help the innocent people who'd lost their home. But not like this. Never like this.
"I respect myself too much to let you use me, Cypher."
My legs gave out and I dropped to the edge of the bed. My face fell into my hands as a sob tore through my body, too powerful to stifle. The sound was ugly and raw, ripped from somewhere deep inside me that I'd never known existed.
I felt him move toward me, his footsteps creaking on the wooden floor.
"Don't," I choked out, raising one hand like a shield. "Get away from me. Don't you dare touch me again. Not ever."
He froze, breathing hard and fast, as if it somehow mattered to him. But I knew better now. Everything had been calculated, every moment engineered to manipulate me.
I drew in several shuddering breaths, forcing the tears to stop through sheer willpower. With trembling hands, I wiped my cheeks, composing myself as best I could. When I looked up at him again, I made sure my eyes were as cold as the frozen ocean outside.
"Fine, Cypher. You win. I'll stay. For now." Hope flickered across his face, but I cut it down immediately. "Not for you. Never, ever for you. For the crew. Because I want to see the lookon their faces when they find out what their captain really did to get them here." I stood up, forcing myself to meet his gaze directly. "And because those refugees deserve better than you. They deserve someone who will help them without destroying innocent lives along the way."
I brushed past him, knocking him into the wall as I swept out the door, slamming it behind me. I walked until I found myself on deck, the cold air biting at my tear-stained cheeks. The dead realm stretched before me, gray and lifeless. Fitting, I thought bitterly. This was where dreams came to die.
"Juno?" I turned to find Kora standing by the rail. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
For a moment, I considered telling her everything. But the words caught in my throat. How could I explain that the man she'd chosen to follow had manipulated us all? Besides, I knew Jask had to be the one to tell her the truth. It was the only way he had even a slight chance to repair the damage.
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile that felt like it might crack my face. "Just tired from yesterday."
She studied me, clearly not believing me but choosing not to push. "Vic wants to check your vitals again when you have a moment. He's worried."
