Chapter 37 · I’m afraid you’ll only love what the vow turns me into

He bent closer. His breath brushed her cheek, hot and uneven. The silver ring in his eye had begun to fade, but the black marks at his throat kept moving.

"I’m afraid you’ll only love what the vow turns me into."

Mara’s grip went slack.

Dax kept going before she could answer.

"The weapon. The strength. The man who can break every door and make every oath obey him. That’s what you look at when I save you. You don’t look at me when I’m weak. You look at the thing that can keep you alive."

"That’s not true."

"Isn’t it?"

"No."

"You called me a weapon."

"Because the ledger was using you as one."

"You said you wouldn’t let it turn me into the thing that kills you."

"I meant it."

"And if it does?"

Mara stepped in until his coat brushed her knees. "Then I’ll stop you."

His face went hard. "You can’t."

"I will."

"You don’t understand."

"Then explain it without hiding behind threats."

He caught her wrist. His palm was hot, but his fingers trembled now.