Chapter 26 · Good. Because I don't

"Good. Because I don't."

"Then stop looking at me like I can fix this."

The words came out sharper than she meant.

Cael went quiet.

The patrol shouted again outside. A metal gate slammed. The sound bounced through the alley.

Mara's chest tightened. The black fire had reached the hollow beneath her ribs. Each breath scraped. She pushed against Cael's shoulder.

"Move."

"No."

"I'm not asking."

"You don't have the strength to order me."

"You don't have the right to decide what happens to me."

"I have the power to stop you from killing yourself. That's enough."

"You think power makes you right?"

"No. It makes me the only person here who can hold you together."

She slapped him.

His head turned with the blow. Blood from his split lip touched his thumb when he wiped it away.

Mara froze. "I didn't—"

"Yes, you did."

"You were being—"

"Useful? Annoying? Alive? Pick one."

She pulled at his coat. "Don't you dare bleed for me and then make jokes."

His face changed.

Not anger. Something rougher.

"You think I want to watch you burn?" he asked.

"I think you want to play the martyr.