Page 347

Her voice softens. “Ezra.”

That’s worse.

Anger I can handle.

That voice nearly breaks me.

“I took away their choice. Sage. They never had a fucking say in the matter.”

Her expression changes.

“I offered Rhett and Malakai without their consent. I tried to save Mercy and condemned all three of us instead.”

“You were trying to save her.”

“It doesn’t matter what I was trying to do. I didn’t fucking remember.”

“It matters to them.”

“That doesn’t erase it.”

“No.”

The answer surprises me enough that I look at her.

She holds my gaze. “It doesn’t.”

She moves closer. “But punishing yourself for another two hundred years won’t erase it either.”

“I’m not punishing myself.”

She actually laughs.

Not because anything is funny.

“You are so full of shit.”

“Sage.”

“You’re free, Ezra.”

The words hit somewhere I’m still not used to having exposed.

“You can go anywhere. You can do anything. Nobody is choosing for you anymore.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you still acting like the Sower?”

My entire body goes still.

“I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

Anger flashes hot and immediate. “I have never treated you like the Bride.”

“I didn’t say you did.”