Chapter 18 · Frozen Biting Edge

"Get your hand off my mark, Ronin."

His fingers tightened against the raw skin at the base of my throat.

Not enough to choke me. Just enough to remind me who had me pinned against the ice wall, who had the stronger body, the bigger rank, and the only working weapon in this frozen hole.

His breath dragged over my cheek. Hot. Uneven. Wrong.

"If I let go, you freeze," he said.

"Then let me freeze."

His eyes dropped to my mouth. Even through the blood streaking his face, I saw the hesitation.

That was the problem with Ronin Varga. He could break a prisoner's wrist without blinking, but give him one honest choice and suddenly his hand started shaking.

The heat under my collarbone flared.

I bit down on a scream and shoved at his chest. My palms hit hard muscle under his torn uniform. He barely moved. His body was still warm, but blood had soaked through the black fabric below his ribs.

"You're bleeding out," I snapped. "Move your hand. I need to see the wound."

"You need to touch me."

"I need a bandage."

"You need me."

"Keep telling yourself that, Commander. It must be comforting."