Page 82 of Monster's Pretty Bride

He shakes me, his frustration a tangible thing, his claws pressing into my skin just enough to make me feel it. “You’re supposed to end me, Eryss. That’s why you’re here.”

I glare at him. “I. Won’t.”

“Then you’re a coward.”

I see red. My hand flies up, slamming into his chest with a jolt of magic. The pulse of energy rocks through him, enough to make him stumble.

His lips pull back, exposing the sharp gleam of his fangs. “There it is.”

I clutch my wrist, the residual magic humming in my veins. His eyes track the movement, narrowing. “Your power is returning.”

I exhale, forcing myself to calm down. “Catalina unbound some of it.”

A sharp exhale. A slow nod. “But not all.”

I hesitate. “No.”

“And the only way to free the rest?” His voice turns into a whisper. A dare.

I swallow hard.

I don’t have to answer. He already knows.

His laugh is bitter. “Then do it.”

I snap. “Why do you want to die so damn badly?!”

He stills.

The silence is thick, suffocating.

Quietly, “Because I don’t have much time left.”

A chill crawls down my spine. “What are you talking about?”

He exhales roughly, his hand rising to brush his own chest. His claws scrape against the cracks in his skin.

Not just battle wounds. Something deeper. Something worse.

I step closer, the pieces clicking into place.

“The curse,” I whisper.

His lips press together.

I stare at him. “You’re dying.”

He tilts his head, unreadable. “And you’re only figuring that out now?”

A hollow laugh escapes me. “You’re an ass.”

One brow arches. “And?”

I shove him. Hard. “You should have told me!”

“What difference would it have made?” His voice is low, dangerous. Exhausted. “You’d still have to kill me.”

“No.” I shake my head violently, stepping away, my heartbeat pounding against my ribs. “I won’t. There has to be another way?—”

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