Chapter 35 · This one is death-bound

"I know vows. I repaired them for ten years before this city decided I was convenient to blame. Every command needs permission somewhere. A word. A signature. A name given freely."

"This one is death-bound."

"Then find the permission."

He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back against the wall again. Not hard enough to hurt. Hard enough to stop me moving.

His face was inches from mine.

"You think I haven't looked?" he asked.

"You haven't looked at me."

"I am looking at you."

"Then hear me."

The wardens groaned behind us. One of them reached for a fallen blade.

Dax's hand shifted toward his weapon.

I caught his coat and pulled him closer.

"Don't," I whispered.

His eyes cut to mine.

"He'll attack you."

"Let him."

"I won't."

"That's the point. The clause keeps telling you protection means killing. So stop letting it choose what protection looks like."

His thumb pressed against the side of my neck. His pulse beat beneath his fingers, fast and uneven.

"You think this is simple?" he said.

"No. I think you're scared."

The silver rings in his eyes stuttered.

"Don't call me that."

"Why?