Chapter 5 · Scent Exposure

The mark was still wet.

That was the first thing. Not his breath. The open place under my ear, hot and ruined, and the bond pulling every time the river hit the iron. Torin had not put me down. The inner bolt was still thrown. Kaelen had gone quiet on the other side, which I trusted less than the knocking.

"Off," I said. "Now."

He didn't move. His nose dragged the line of the mark like he was checking his own work, and my whole body lit up on a switch I don't own. Shame heats you before it makes you want to die.

"You already did the irreversible part," I said. "You don't get to keep inventory."

"I'm not inventorying." His voice was wrecked and quiet. "I'm making sure it took."

"It took. I can feel your pulse in my teeth. Congratulations. Put me down before the river does it for you."

He stepped back half a pace. Not far. I still had to tip my chin up. The water was at my shins, brown, diesel, wet pennies. His hand stayed at my waist.