Chapter 19 · The sound cracked through the gatehouse. Dax blinked

The sound cracked through the gatehouse.

Dax blinked at her.

“Don’t offer that like it’s a favor,” she said.

His cheek reddened beneath her palm. His eyes dropped to her hand, then lifted back to her face.

“You hit hard.”

“I’m considering hitting harder.”

“Save your strength.”

“For what?”

“Putting the key back.”

Mara looked down.

The metal stem had slid another inch free.

The black cracks reached his collarbone.

Behind them, the crowd began to chant again.

“Break her. Break her. Break her.”

The officer pointed at Mara. “Take the page from her.”

Dax’s head snapped up.

The oath pulled his body forward.

Mara felt his muscles tense beneath her hands. His gaze went black from edge to edge.

He lunged.

She caught his face between her palms.

“Dax, look at me.”

His teeth clenched.

“Look at me!”

His eyes locked onto hers.

For one second, he was there. Terrified. Furious. Holding himself together with nothing but stubbornness.

“Mara,” he rasped. “Run now.”

“No.”

“The page.”

“No.”

“The gate.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

His breath shook between them. “You don’t get to decide that.”

“I just did.”

She hooked her fingers around the key.

Dax grabbed her wrist.