Chapter 62 · Forbidden Breath

"Don't move, Sylvia." Cassian's hand locked around her wrist before she could pull the blade free.

"Get off me."

"You can barely stand."

"And you can barely exist. We all have problems."

Her knees buckled. Cassian caught her against the stone wall, one arm braced beside her head, the other keeping her shaking hand away from the silver knife. His coat brushed her shoulder. Heat came off him in sharp waves, too warm for a man whose body had been torn apart and rebuilt by forbidden stitches.

Her chest hurt with every breath. Not one heartbeat. Two.

The second one slammed against her ribs like it wanted out.

Cassian leaned closer. "Your binding is coming apart."

"I know what it feels like when my own work fails."

"This isn't your work failing."

"Then explain it."

His thumb pressed against the inside of her wrist. Her pulse jumped under it. His eyes narrowed.

"The pact is rejecting the seal."

Sylvia shoved at his chest. He didn't move. Of course he didn't. The man had survived dismemberment, an imperial prison, and three separate attempts to kill what was left of him.