Page 201 of Emylia

The voice cut through the clearing like a blade.

Maalikai.

And behind him, one of Thrainn's warrior’s—armor midnight black, sword strapped high, urgency written across every line of his face.

Sebastian dropped my hand like it burned.

“What’s going on?”I asked, heart already slamming against my ribs.

The warrior approached, bowing slightly to Sebastian before speaking. “You’re needed in Ophelia. Immediate departure. The Chief said not to wait.”

Sebastian’s jaw locked. “For how long?”

“Three days. Maybe four.”

Sebastian turned to me. The teasing was gone. That lightness he always wore like armor had cracked—and underneath was something sharp and hollow.

“I have to go.”

I nodded. But it felt like lying. “It’s okay.”

Maalikai stepped forward.

“Don’t stress, I’ll be with her.”His gaze flicked from me to Sebastian, steady and sure. “She won’t be alone.”

Sebastian hesitated. Just a breath. Just long enough to carve something open in my chest.

Then he nodded, sharp and final.

“Keep her safe.”

Maalikai didn’t answer. He just held my gaze—and somehow, that was enough.

Without a word, Sebastian’s fingers found my hips, splaying against them like he was claiming me—memorizingevery inch of how I felt.

His forehead brushed mine as he took a stuttered breath.

“Several days. I promise,”he whispered, and I felt how much it cost him to say it.

“I’ll be fine,”I said.

But I wasn’t sure I would be.

“I know you will.” He shut his eyes, drawing a breath that sounded like it betrayed his soul.

Then his lips found mine—deep, commanding, full of everything he wouldn’t say.Couldn’tsay. There was no softness in it. No hesitation. Just heat, and heartbreak, and a goodbye he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

And when he pulled back, breath ghosting across my cheek, I felt the absence like it had claws.

His hand shifted slightly on my waist, like he might draw me closer—just one last time.

But he didn’t.

And in that pause—Gods, in that pause—I knew.

He wouldn’t ask. Wouldn’t beg. Wouldn’t say it, even now. He just held me, like maybe if he did, I wouldn’t slip through his fingers when he finally let go.

So I smiled—soft, heartbreaking.

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