Chapter 25 · Funny. You didn't care about my veins when you poured yours into them

"Funny. You didn't care about my veins when you poured yours into them."

His grip loosened, but he didn't let go.

The heat of his fingers seeped through my sleeve. His face was close enough that I could feel each rough breath against my cheek.

"I cared too much," he said.

The words stopped me.

Cyrus swore. "Not now. Flirt after we stop the flood."

Cassian's eyes never left mine. "I'm not flirting."

"Then you're doing a terrible job of saving her."

I pulled free and reached for the blade.

Cassian caught my wrist again.

"Don't."

"You said the core would tear me apart if I ran into it."

"I said it because I was trying to keep you alive."

"You rejected me to keep me alive too?"

His throat worked.

"Yes."

The answer landed between us, raw and ugly.

I stared at him. "You expect me to believe that?"

"Believe whatever you want. Just don't bleed into that machine."

"The city has less than two minutes."

"I'll find another way."

"You couldn't find another way when the council put a knife to our bond. You chose them.