Chapter 32 · The Part I Save

"No. I decided you might hate me long enough to survive me."

The court roared beneath us.

The force slammed into my chest and threw me backward. Cassian caught me around the waist before my spine hit the stone pillar.

His palm covered my side. Heat burned through my soaked shirt. My back struck cold stone, and his body locked between me and the collapsing sigils.

"Get off me," I whispered.

He didn't move.

"You're standing on a fracture. Step left, and the floor opens."

"Then move right."

"There's a blade at my heart."

"You're welcome."

His breath brushed my cheek. Salt, iron, and his skin filled my lungs.

For one vicious second, the court vanished. There was only his hand on my waist, his knee pressed between mine to keep us steady, and his life-tide pulsing against my ribs.

He felt it too.

His fingers tightened.

"Mara," he said.

"Don't say my name like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you still have the right to want me."

His eyes dropped to my mouth.

"I never stopped."

The words hit hot and reckless.

I shoved him back.

Silver lines snapped around his chest.

Cassian cried out and folded over the blade.