Chapter 36 · You can let go

He released the ash lock and surged upward. The titan's hand closed on empty air. Raven grabbed Seraphina around the waist and swung them both onto a wider platform as the ledge shattered behind them.

She landed against him.

The impact knocked the breath from her lungs. His back hit the wall. Her hands caught his shoulders, and his arms locked around her to keep her from falling.

The chain clanged against the platform.

For one breath, neither spoke.

Her cheek was against his jaw. His hand rested at the middle of her back, spread over the hard plates of her armor. The tether burned between their wrists.

"You can let go," she said.

"You can move."

"I was here first."

"That isn't how gravity works."

"You always this irritating when you're saving someone?"

"Only when they threaten to stab me."

"I still might."

"Your hand is shaking."

"Because the floor is moving."

"Your pulse says otherwise."

She lifted her head.

Their noses almost touched.

Raven felt the heat of her breath. Her eyes were no longer fixed on the machine.