Page 91 of Too Dangerous To Die

And Rhaegar doesn’t move.

I collapse over him, chest heaving, tears spilling freely. My hand curls into his shirt, gripping him like a lifeline that’s already gone slack.

“It wasn’t enough,” I whisper. “Gods, please… it wasn’t enough…”

I bury my face in the curve of his neck, sobbing. I gave half of myself—morethan half—and still, it wasn’t enough.

Maybe love was never meant to win in Protheka.

Maybe this world only knows how to take.

“I would’ve chosen you,” I whisper against his skin. “In every world. Every lifetime. Even if I had to watch you die a thousand times—I’d still choose you.”

His body is cold now.

Still.

Gone.

I begin to pull away, every part of me shattered?—

When his fingers twitch.

At first I think I imagined it.

But then they move again.

Slowly.

Weakly.

Stone cracks with a low groan as his arm lifts, trembling.

I freeze.

My heart lodges in my throat.

And then, his eyes open.

Not Medea’s black. Not the gold of corrupted soulflame.

His eyes.

Rhaegar.

Alive.

Breathing.

Looking at me like he’s just seen the sun for the first time.

“…Nora?”

His voice is raw. Disbelieving.

I can’t speak.

I throw myself into his arms, sobbing, laughing, clinging to him as his body warms beneath mine, the fractures still visible but glowing—stitched with gold magic like scars that no longer threaten to break.

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