Page 136 of Claimed In Darkness

His fingers twitch, like he might reach for me, might pull me down into him, might hold me there until I forget why I have to leave.

But he doesn’t.

I exhale slow, letting my fingers drag down his throat, over his pulse, memorizing the way it still beats, steady and strong.

When I walk away, it will be the last time I feel it.

The last time I am allowed to touch him.

The last time I can pretend we still have a future.

And when I pull away—I do not look back.

I make it to the end of the clearing before he speaks.

"Naira."

One word.

Not a command.

Not a question.

Not a plea.

Just my name.

I close my eyes.

I hate how it sounds in his voice.

Like I still belong to him.

More like I am still his.

Like he has already forgiven me before I’ve even finished walking away.

I turn my head slightly, just enough for him to see what I need him to understand.

That I am not hesitating.

That I am not unsure.

That I have already made my choice.

And it is not him.

He stans slowly, and doesn’t chase me.

He still believes there is a version of this where I do not betray him.

Zephiran loves me—that is his greatest weakness.

I am not the woman he loves.

That woman has disappeared.

I refuse to let him kill himself trying to bring me back.

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