Chapter 23 · he warned

She reached him and grabbed his coat.

The bond opened wider.

His pain poured into her. His lungs burned. His bones felt too tight. Something huge and hungry pushed against his skin, trying to break through.

Mara bit the inside of her cheek.

Blood filled her mouth.

Riven's head jerked toward the scent.

His eyes went black again.

"Don't," he warned.

"You need it."

"No."

"You need me to pull you back."

"Not like that."

"You don't get to choose."

She wiped blood from her mouth with two fingers and pressed them to his lips.

Riven froze.

The touch was small. Barely anything. Her fingers against his mouth. His breath shaking over her skin.

But the curse reacted like she'd thrown a match into oil.

Black lines raced across his face.

He grabbed her waist and lifted her clear of the floor.

Mara's back hit his chest. His arm locked around her, strong enough to crush bone if he stopped fighting himself.

"Riven," she said.

"Get away from me."

"You already said that."

"I mean it now."

"Then let go."

His hold tightened.

Mara felt his heart hammering against her back. She could feel every painful beat through the bond.