Page 157 of Dangerous King
"Rip glass out of yourself. Bleed in my arms. Decide you don't matter so that I can go fight ghosts."
"You should have gone," I reply. "They're not done."
"No," he agrees. "But neither are we. And I'm not losing you to prove a point."
I nod. I don't have the energy to argue, especially not when he looks like he's one breath from shattering.
"But we have Ledyanoy Prizrak?" I confirm.
Something like amusement flickers in his eyes, "Yes,wehave him. He's not going anywhere."
"I want to be there when you… talk to him."
"Piccolina." His head starts to shake.
"I. Want. To. Be. There." I make my point clear. "Oh, and by the way, don't you ever think about sedating me again."
He has the decency to look guilty, but still, he tries, "I didn't sedate you. The doctor did."
I arch an eyebrow.
He relents with a muttered, "Okay, Iallowedit. You were in shock. And bleeding. And half feral."
"Still not your call."
"Noted," he grits out.
We fall silent again, the beeping machines the only sound between us. Outside the room, I know the world's still on fire. But in here, it's just the two of us, clinging to the one thread we didn't lose.
"I want to know what he did to her," I say, more quietly this time. "To Sabine."
Enrico doesn't answer right away.
"I need to hear it," I go on. "I need to see the monster who killed my sister."
His throat works as he swallows. "It's not going to be easy to hear."
"I'm not asking for easy."
He studies me as if he's weighing whether telling me will shatter me completely. Like he's still holding the pieces of me together with sheer will.
"I won't keep things from you," he finally says. "Not now."
"Then take me to him."
"Not until the doctor clears you."
I open my mouth to argue.
"Not until the doctor clears you," he repeats, firmer this time. "I mean it, Cat. You go in there too weak, and he'll see it. He'll smell it. You want answers? Fine. But I'm not letting you bleed for them."
I don't like it, but I nod. "Deal."
He takes my hand again and kisses the inside of my wrist. Then lower, to the pulse point, like he's reminding himself I'm still alive.
"You're not made for this world," he murmurs.
I give him a look. "Have youmetme?"
