Page 161 of Crowned In Venom

I can’t let this happen.

I won’t.

Not to her. Not to Anya.

My mind is a storm, my body trembling as I clutch her, as if holding her tighter will keep her here, keep her safe.

"There’s another way," I tell her, desperate, my voice raw and breaking. "There has to be. We will find it."

But Anya steps away from me.

A slow, deliberate movement.

I snatch for her, but she is already slipping from my grasp, already standing in front of the Ghost.

"Do it," she says, her voice steady, unwavering.

My stomach drops.

"Anya—"

She turns, smiling at me.

Soft.

Heartbreaking.

"I love you, Varkos."

Her eyes shine with certainty, with something so pure it nearly shatters me.

"I would do anything to free you from this."

No.

I step toward her, shaking my head, my entire body trembling with the force of my refusal.

"No," I rasp. "No, Anya. You don’t have to do this."

She clutches me, her fingers digging into my arms as if she is trying to keep me from breaking apart.

"I do," she whispers.

I grip her back, my fingers digging into her waist, holding her like she is the only thing tethering me to this world.

Because she is.

"What is my life without you?"

My voice is wrecked.

I shake my head, frantic, my forehead pressing against hers.

"I can’t lose you."

She clings to me.

I cling to her.

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