Page 133 of Savage Crown

Even bleeding, even weak from wounds that should have kept her bedridden for weeks, she still looks at me with fire in her eyes and defiance etched into every inch of her bruised skin.

I should have known this would be a fight.

"You are not coming with me," I say, voice low, firm.

She doesn’t even hesitate. "Try and stop me."

I exhale sharply, jaw clenching.

This woman is going to be the death of me.

I press a hand to my temple, trying to rein in the storm raging inside me.

Vael mutters from the corner, arms crossed. "If you’re going to argue all night, I’ll just go slit my own throat now and save Nhilian the trouble."

Seraphina glares at him. "Then do it quietly."

I almost smirk.

Almost.

But there’s too much at stake for humor.

She winces as she shifts on the cot, and I catch her before she can fall forward.

I feel the sharp breath she takes, the way her body trembles against mine.

She’s too weak.

She knows it.

I know it.

And yet, she still fights me on this.

I cup her face, forcing her to meet my gaze.

"You can’t do this, little thief."

A beat of silence.

Her fingers curl into my shirt.

"I have to."

Fury. Frustration. Love.

I brush my forehead against hers, my breath hot, uneven.

"You’ll slow us down," I say. "You’ll die before we even get there."

She exhales.

"Then we wait. One night. One day. Let me recover, and we go together."

I hate that I consider it.

Hate that I can’t say no to her.

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