Chapter 60 · The Mark on the Collars

"And?"

Cassian's gaze dropped to my mouth.

For one sharp second, neither of us moved. His body hovered inches from mine, heat trapped between our soaked clothes. His hand still circled my wrist—gentle now, like he was afraid I'd pull away.

Or afraid I wouldn't.

His eyes lifted to mine.

"And I wanted you."

The shaft seemed to shrink around us.

"Say it again."

His jaw tightened. "Mara—"

"You rejected me because you wanted me?"

"I rejected you because wanting you made you easier to use."

I gave a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "That's supposed to make sense?"

"It did when your sister was bleeding on a council floor."

His voice cracked on the last word.

Barely.

I still heard it.

The bond snapped open.

Cassian knelt beside Sera. Blood covered his hands. Minister Dane stood behind her, a silver blade pressed to her throat.

The memory stopped there.

A hard white wall slammed down behind it.

I grabbed Cassian's collar. "What happened after that?"

He flinched.

Not from the water.

From the question.

"Cassian."

"I don't know."

I pulled him closer. "What the hell do you mean, you don't know?"

"I remember taking her into custody. I remember Dane's knife.