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“I’m waiting for your answer.”

“Fine.”

The word scraped my throat.

“Within reason.”

“Within reason is a dangerous term in this scenario.”

I ignored her. “You’ll have your time.”

I held her gaze.

“But if I learn you’re using him to hurt him…”

She laughed.

"What reason would I have to harm Teorin Rathmor? It isn't me he tried to kiss without permission," she said, almost cruelly.

I said nothing.

“You’ve made the correct choice," she said smugly.

She opened the door and rested one hand against the frame.

“Oh…”

She glanced back over her shoulder.

The smile that followed belonged to someone else entirely.

“I do not forgive. And I have very little patience for broken promises.”

The door closed behind her.

CHAPTER 9

The Ivakar

After Dali left I closed my eyes and focused on the sound of the door shutting.

He would not come back. He would not, would he?

When I opened them Teorin was lying beside me.

"Leave."

"No."

His answer was so calm something inside me snapped.

"I will not risk you being harmed, Asharin."

I laughed.

"You will not risk me being harmed?" I looked at him. "Yet you think nothing of trying to force your kiss on me?" My voice shook. "What comes next, Teorin? Will you decide to fuck me while I am too weak to stop you?"

His jaw tightened.