Chapter 63 · You always know how to make a request sound romantic

She swallowed. "You always know how to make a request sound romantic."

"This isn't romance."

"No. It's blackmail with better cheekbones."

His hand tightened at her waist. "Say yes, Sylvia."

"You don't get to order me."

"Then choose."

The command in his voice hit the part of her that was tired of choosing between terrible deaths. Her mentor's betrayal. The empire's wanted posters. The hunters' knives. Every road led to a cage.

Cassian was a cage too.

But he was standing inside it with her.

She raised her free hand and dragged a small surgical pick from her sleeve.

Cassian watched the blade touch her palm. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you understand."

She pressed the pick into her skin. A bright bead of blood welled up.

His pupils narrowed.

"Sylvia."

"You want a choice? Here's one. You bind to me completely, or you get out and let Augustus carve us apart."

"You don't know what a complete blood pact does."

"Then tell me."

"It ties our pain together."

"Already done."

"Our senses."

"Also done."

"Our death.