Page 128 of Claimed In Darkness

Like Zephiran is an inconvenience.

"You are not the one I am speaking to, boy."

Zephiran lunges.

I move before I can think.

My hand catches his wrist mid-swing.

Not on purpose.

Not because I mean to stop him.

But because something inside me does.

Something that knows the fight is already over.

Zephiran stiffens.

Not because I stopped him.

Not because I am touching him.

But because my grip is too strong.

Too firm.

Too fucking unnatural.

His gaze snaps to mine.

Not angry.

Not surprised.

Afraid.

He tries to pull away.

I do not let him.

I need him to see. This is not his decision.

This was never his choice to make.

I hold his wrist just a little longer than I should.

Long enough for him to feel the truth beneath my skin.

Long enough for him to accept it.

Long enough for me to notice the moment when his fight turns into grief.

I release him.

He does not lift his sword again.

He sees that I was never meant to survive this.

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