Chapter 53 · He let me go. The cold space between

He let me go.

The cold space between us hit immediately. I hated that I noticed.

Dorian reached for the collar of his uniform and tore the last silver insignia free. It struck the floor beside the case.

"There," he said. "Commander Dorian Vale is gone. The man who signed the marriage contract is gone too. The contract ends at the judgment stop, whether we live long enough to say it out loud or not."

My throat tightened.

"You rehearsed that?"

"No."

"You should have. It was almost convincing."

A rough breath left him. Not quite a laugh.

"Mara, open the case. Please."

The word cut deeper than it should have.

He'd never begged me for anything.

I shoved the command key into the first lock.

The case clicked.

The train screamed around a bend. Red warning lights flashed across the control room. Behind the armored doors, soldiers shouted. Boots pounded closer. Metal slammed against metal.

Static tore through the speakers.

"We've got a problem," Dorian said.

"You think?"

He lunged for the main console and slapped his palm against the rail controls.

Nothing happened.

The speed gauge jumped.

"Someone's taken the line.