Chapter 24 · You are shaking

He did not.

Mara turned her head enough to meet his eyes. "Rhys."

"You are shaking."

"So are you."

"No."

"Your hand is."

"It is the platform."

"The platform is not touching my wrist."

His gaze dropped to their hands.

The blue line between them had changed. It was thicker now, threaded with black. It curled around their wrists like a small chain.

Mara's voice went quiet. "What did you do?"

"I kept you alive."

"That is not an answer."

"It is the one I have."

"Did you lock the bond?"

Rhys finally released her.

The loss of his heat came too fast. Mara nearly stepped backward, forgetting the platform still hovered above the shaft. Rhys caught her elbow and pulled her against him again.

"Careful," he said.

"Do not touch me."

"You are about to fall."

"Then let me fall."

His grip became iron. "Do not say that."

The command hit harder than it should have.

Mara stared up at him. "You do not get to command me."

"Then do not make me hear you talk like you want to die."

"You think you know what I want?"

"I know what your face looks like when you are scared."