Chapter 29 · The First Rebel King

"You started this," I said.

Evelyn smiled without warmth. One hand stayed tucked beneath her sleeve. A tiny black device glowed blue against her wrist.

The tide key.

"I gave the city a choice," she said. "Obey the council, or drown with the old bloodline."

Cassian raised his sword. "Drop the key."

"You can't kill me while the core is linked to her."

The floor bucked.

I stumbled toward the witness rail. Cassian caught me around the ribs before my shoulder smashed into stone. His armor dug into my chest. His palm spread over my stomach, hot and solid, pinning me against him as the chamber tilted.

My breath caught against his throat.

"Let go."

"Not while the floor's moving."

"You rejected me. You don't get to hold me now."

His mouth brushed my ear. Heat slid down my neck. "Then stop falling."

"I hate you."

"I know."

"No, you don't."

I shoved at his chest. The floor rolled again, and his arm locked tighter around me.

"You saw my face when you rejected me," I said. "You didn't see what came after."

His jaw tightened. "Tell me.