Chapter 31 · You heard that

I stepped closer.

The blade stayed against his chest, but my free hand caught his shoulder before he fell. His armor was cold. The skin beneath it burned hot.

Our pulses struck together.

Mine.

His.

Mara.

The name echoed through the chamber. It came from the black water between our boots, from the glowing sigils, from the bones buried under the floor.

Cassian sucked in a breath.

"You heard that," I said.

"I hear you every time the tide moves."

The answer knocked the next word out of my mouth.

His eyes held mine.

"Since the bond?"

"Since the night I rejected you."

My fingers dug into his shoulder.

"You rejected me in front of the whole harbor."

"I know."

"You called me a danger to the city."

"I know."

"You let them watch me stand there while you cut me loose."

His breathing turned rough. The heat of it brushed my mouth.

"If I hadn't rejected you, the council would've claimed you before the alarm bells stopped."

"So you decided humiliating me was kinder?"

Cassian's gaze dropped to my mouth.

The court hissed beneath us.

"One minute."

"Answer me," I snapped.

"I was trying to keep you alive.