Chapter 39 · A Promise That Could Kill Him

"That's a terrible promise."

"It's the honest one."

"Keep going."

Cassian's eyes locked on mine. Water dripped from his hair and ran along his jaw.

"I need your tide," he said. "I need your trust long enough to stop the court from drowning your people."

The tower shook.

A pipe burst behind him, spraying the chamber floor. Cold water rushed around his knee, but Cassian didn't look away.

"I need you beside me," he said. "Not under my command."

My chest pulled tight. "You still sound like you're giving orders."

"Then tell me to shut up."

"I already did."

"You did."

"And you kept talking."

"I'm on one knee, Mara. I'm trying to make a good impression."

A broken laugh scraped out of me before I could stop it.

His gaze caught the sound. For half a second, the hard lines of his face eased.

Then the drain ripped through him.

Cassian folded forward. One hand slapped against the stone to catch him. Black veins spread beneath his skin, racing from his throat to his jaw.

"Cassian."

"Don't." His teeth clenched. "Don't come closer."

"You just collapsed."

"I'm still talking, aren't I?"

"Barely."

"Then listen."

He forced himself upright.