Chapter 32 · You need to hear it

"You need to hear it."

"No, I need you to move."

"Sera."

"You rejected me once. You don't get to leave me twice."

His breath caught.

I saw the hurt before he buried it. Good. Let it hurt. Let him carry one piece of what he had done to me.

Then he leaned closer, his mouth brushing the edge of my cheek without quite touching it.

"I know," he said. "That's why I'm coming back."

He released me and turned toward the nursery.

I caught his hand.

"Rayne."

He looked over his shoulder.

"Bring them both."

"I will."

"No matter what Cole says. No matter what blood they carry. No matter who their father is."

A cold silence opened between us.

Rayne looked at me too carefully.

"You think I don't know what you're afraid to ask?"

"I don't know what to ask anymore."

"Then ask me when we're alive."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you're getting until I have both pups in my arms."

He pulled his sword free.

The blade flashed silver through the smoke. Rayne raised it toward the soldiers gathering behind us.

"Ironfang!