Chapter 16 · The Cost of Saying Yes

"I'm working on it!" Cyrus shouted from the console.

Evelyn's hand slid inside her coat.

Cassian saw it before I did. He crossed the chamber in two strides and clamped his fingers around her wrist.

"Don't."

Evelyn's smile turned sharp. "You burned your own command. You really think you still get to give orders?"

"You don't want to draw that pistol."

"You did it for her."

Her eyes cut toward me.

That half-second was enough.

Evelyn twisted hard, drove her knee into Cassian's thigh, and tore free. She pulled the pistol and aimed it straight at my chest.

The life-tide between Cassian and me snapped tight.

Pain ripped through my ribs.

Cassian dropped to one knee.

I grabbed his shirt. "Stay up."

"Bossy," he breathed.

"You like it."

His mouth almost curved.

Not a smile. Something rougher. Hungrier.

His eyes dropped to my lips. Heat brushed my face with every breath he took, even with Evelyn's gun aimed at my heart.

"How touching," Evelyn said. "The rejected mate and the hidden heir, sharing pain. Does that make you loyal now?"

"You're scared," I told her.

Her finger tightened on the trigger. "Of you?"

"No.