Chapter 17 · And if I use it against you?

He took my hand and turned it palm-up. His fingers brushed over the iron seal before closing mine around it.

"This badge can open every military gate on this line. It can stop the soldiers outside. It can put my name above any order they've received."

"And if I use it against you?"

His eyes dropped to my mouth.

The pause lasted less than a second. It still burned.

"Then you win."

"That wasn't my question."

"I know."

He leaned in until his forehead nearly touched mine.

"If you use it against me, Mara, my life is yours to gamble."

My breath caught. "Don't make that sound like a vow."

"It already is one."

The marriage contract mark burned under my sleeve, a thin band of heat around my wrist. His eyes dipped toward it, then lifted back to mine.

"You don't get to turn surrender into romance."

"I'm not asking you to love me."

"Good."

"I'm asking you to choose fast."

He stepped away and dropped the command cord onto the case.

The lock snapped open.

His rank was gone.

Every sound outside changed. Boots stopped. Men shouted over one another.