Chapter 49 · You threaten people when you're interested

"You threaten people when you're interested."

Her hand closed around the front of his coat again.

"You are dangerously close to proving that theory."

"Then prove it."

For one second, she pulled him closer.

Their foreheads touched. Their breaths mixed. The chain between them hummed like a drawn wire.

Seraphina's mouth parted, but the words never came.

Raven felt the moment tipping. He felt her want to stay and her pride ordering her to step back. He wanted to close the distance. He wanted her to be the one who chose it.

The core shrieked above them.

Seraphina broke away with a sharp breath.

"We finish this first."

"Coward."

"Alive coward."

"For now."

She seized his hand and dragged him toward the center of the chamber.

"Tell me what to do."

"Stand inside the mark."

"And you?"

"I stand with you."

"That's not what I asked."

"It's the answer."

She pulled him into the golden circle carved beneath the throne.