Chapter 34 · Caged Bird's Bite

"Get your hands off her, Kaelen." Nora's voice didn't shake, but it sounded like it was coming from the bottom of a well.

Kaelen didn't even look at her. He kept his grip tight on Sera’s wrist, twisting it just enough to make her wince. He leaned in, his breath ghosting over Sera’s ear. "You're so protective, Nora. It's almost touching. Does the little bird actually love her cage, or is she just fond of the jailer?"

Sera spat at him. "Go to hell."

Kaelen laughed, a dry, metallic sound. He shoved Sera back toward Nora. She stumbled, her shoulder hitting the wall with a dull thud. Nora caught her instantly, her arms wrapping around Sera's waist, pulling her flush against her chest. The contact was electric, a desperate, grounding heat between them. Nora could feel the jagged rhythm of Sera's heart hammering against her own ribs.

"I told you to leave her alone," Nora hissed. She didn't let go. She couldn't. If she let go, the world felt like it would simply dissolve into the void Kaelen had spent the last hour digging.

"And I told you the truth," Kaelen said, strolling toward the center of the room.