Chapter 22 · So you'll order me

He stepped toward me. "Now the guns are firing, Sera is trapped, your brother is being held for a crime he didn't commit, and the only door out requires us to authorize the case together."

"So you'll order me."

"No."

"You will if I refuse."

His gaze locked onto mine. "I won't."

The tower rocked again. Sera caught the rail beside the console to keep her feet.

"We've got twelve seconds before the next round," she said. "Fight later. Touch the plate now."

I looked at Dorian. "Say it again."

"I won't order you."

"Swear it."

His breathing changed. Not fear. Something tighter. Something he hated showing me.

"I swear I won't use the protection clause to choose for you."

"Not good enough."

"Mara—"

"Swear you'll never choose for me again. Not for my body. Not for my brother. Not for this marriage."

His hand lowered between us.

"I swear," he said. "I'll never choose for you again."

The words hit harder than the gunfire.

I took his hand.

His fingers closed around mine at once, warm and rough. His thumb pressed against the inside of my wrist.