Chapter 36 · Then we're done

"Then we're done."

I reached for the case.

Silas caught me around the waist and turned me back against the table.

The movement was fast. Controlled. My hip struck the edge. His body blocked the door, his arm braced beside my shoulder. He didn't crush me. He didn't need to. There was nowhere to go.

"You don't walk out," he said.

"Move."

"Tell me what you're going to do."

"I'm going to leave. Then I'm going to tell every soldier outside that their lord is hiding a disease."

His jaw flexed.

"You won't."

"You keep saying that like I haven't ruined my life for less."

"If you speak, the city falls."

"If I stay quiet, you die."

"Not tonight."

"You don't know that."

"Neither do you."

His breath touched my temple. I could feel the tension in his arm, the careful restraint in every inch of him. He could have pinned both my hands. He chose not to.

That choice made it worse.

"Let me go," I said.

"No."

"Silas."

"Say you'll stay."

"You don't get promises from me."

"Then give me a lie."

I shoved my palm against his chest.

His heartbeat slammed against it.

Fast. Strong.