Page 73 of Monster's Pretty Bride

I turn to Eryss, already anticipating the argument brewing in her expression. Her lips are parted, her breathing sharp and uneven, her eyes flickering between me and Catalina’s unconscious body.

Sheknowswhat I’m going to say.

Shewon’taccept it.

“No.” She shakes her head, stepping closer. “I’mnotleaving her behind.”

I clench my jaw. “She’s aliability.”

Eryss’s face twists in fury. “She ismy sister?—”

“She’s the reason youalmost died.”

Her handstrembleat her sides, but she refuses to back down. “That wasn’therfault! Yousawit! She wascontrolled!”

More wing beats.

Closer.

The enemy isswarming.

Thryx is still standing, barely, but the way his body sways tells me hewon’tbe for much longer.

“Wecan’tcarry dead weight,” I grind out, my voice like gravel. “Weneedto go now.”

Eryss clenches her fists. “Then leave me behind too.”

My entire body locks up.

Isnarl, stepping into her space, fists curling around her arms. “Don’t—testme, purna.”

Her eyes are wild,desperate, lips trembling.

Shebreaks.

Tears spill down her cheeks.

Not loud. Not a sob. Justsilent.

She hasn’tcriedonce since I took her. Not when she was chained. Not when she was beaten in the training grounds. Not when she was thrown off acliff.

But now, with her sisterhelplessat our feet, shebreaks.

Somethinginsideme cracks.

Itshouldn’tmatter.

But it does.

Before I canthinkbetter of it, I shove Catalina’s limp body into another warrior’s arms. “Take her.”

Eryss gasps, a small, broken sound.

Thryx scowls. “You’reseriously?—”

“GO!” I bellow. “Move, now!”

The groundshakesas our enemiesdescend.

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