Page 100 of The Bond That Burns

“It’s ready,” I said, finally, holding out my hand.

She hesitated a beat before taking it.

As the warmth of the water enveloped us, I pulled her close, her back resting against my chest as I wrapped my arms around her beneath the water.

I could feel the leftover tension in her body gradually melting away, her breathing evening out as the soothing heat and soft scent worked their magic.

I rested my head on hers, trying to think of the right words to say. “I meant what I said. I’ll keep Florence safe. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

She moved her head to look up at me, her expression tired but soft. “Thank you.”

I pressed a kiss to her temple. “You should get some rest.”

We climbed out, drying off in a silence that didn’t feel tense or awkward for once. I helped her pull on a robe, then grabbed one of my own. It was a little small and I saw her eyes light up, as ifshe was trying not to laugh. But in the end, I think she was too tired to even bother.

I followed her back to the bed, waiting for her to tell me to go. To say this had been another mistake.

But instead, she just climbed in, pulling the covers up to her chin.

After a moment’s hesitation, I slid in beside her.

For once, I didn’t need to try to fill the silence. I just held her, our legs tangling beneath the blankets as the weight of the day slipped away.

“Sleep,” I murmured against her hair, my fingers moving up and down her back. “I’m here.”

And as her breathing slowed, I stared up at the canopy.

She’d fallen asleep in my arms. It was such a simple thing. So why did it feel like a miracle I could barely process?

I’d never been in this position before. Never felt this need to stay.

I tightened my arms around her, my chest filled with something too big to name. For once, I wasn’t running, wasn’t pretending. I didn’t want to. The thought of leaving her side tonight—or any other—felt like sacrilege.

Maybe I didn’t deserve her. Hell, I knew I didn’t. But that didn’t mean I was going to let her go. Not when she was here, her breath warm against my skin, her trust fragile but real.

Her fingers twitched lightly against my chest, her body relaxing more fully into mine and I pressed a kiss against her hair and closed my eyes.

“Mine,” I whispered, the word slipping out before I could stop it.

For the first time in a long time, I fell asleep believing that maybe, just maybe, I was capable of something better.

Because of her.

CHAPTER 25 - MEDRA

The Bloodwing greenhouse was warm, the air heavy with the comforting and familiar scents of earth and herbs. I was getting rather attached to the classroom and getting used to being outdoors part of the week. Not to mention that Professor Allenvale was quickly becoming my favorite instructor after Rodriguez.

Professor Hassan could take a page from her book, I decided as I shifted on the wooden stool I sat on, trying to focus on Professor Allenvale’s voice as she strode up and down between the long tables, handing back our essays.

But my mind was a jumbled mess. Tangled with indecision over the things I’d been holding back from sharing with Florence. Everything that had been happening with Blake. The Tribunal evaluation.

Every glance in my friend’s direction made the knot in my stomach tighten.

Florence sat beside me, completely oblivious to my turmoil, her notes lined up in neat rows in front of her. Her cheeks glowed pink as Professor Allenvale leafed through the essays. I knew she was excited to receive her mark.

I hadn’t told her anything yet—about the Tribunal’s plan, about how her very life might be hanging in the balance because of me. She deserved to know, but how could I say it? How could I look into those trusting eyes and tell her that the highbloods she’d once worshiped were going to use her just to get me to do what they wanted?

Professor Allenvale’s voice cut through the fog.

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