Chapter 31 · The Memory That Stays

"Put the blade down, Ronan."

His hand stopped inches above the black mark carved into the gate core.

The core bucked between us. Blue-white light ripped through the cracked stone, shot up my arms, and locked my fingers around Ronan's wrist.

His skin burned against mine. My bones felt like they were splitting open.

"Mara, let go."

"You first."

"I can't."

"That's not an answer."

The broken moon mark between our palms flared. It forced our hands together over the core.

Every pulse dragged another memory through me.

Ronan standing before the council.

Ronan turning his face away.

Ronan saying the words that had shattered me in front of the whole city.

I don't want you.

The gate core screamed.

Ronan stumbled. I caught him with my shoulder, and the impact drove us against the stone ring around the chamber. His chest slammed into mine. His breath scraped hot across my cheek.

"You're bleeding," he said.

"So are you. Try to keep up."

Blood ran from the cut above his eyebrow and slid down the side of his face. He didn't wipe it away.