Chapter 34 · I am deciding how far away to keep you

"I am deciding how far away to keep you."

"Bad plan."

"Why?"

"Because you're going to lose control, and the only person who can pull you back is standing right here."

The warden laughed. "Hear that? She admits it. She owns him."

Cael's fingers brushed the stone beside my head. He leaned in, close enough that his breath warmed my cheek.

"Do you own me?" he asked.

I could have lied. The mark would have punished me for it. Silver heat crawled up my arm, warning me that the bond was listening.

"No," I said. "But I know what you're afraid of."

"You don't know anything about me."

"I know you count when you can't breathe. I know your left hand shakes before the eclipse hits. I know you hate being touched when you're losing control, but you still grabbed me instead of the nearest weapon."

His mouth parted.

"And I know," I continued, "that if I wanted to control you, you wouldn't be standing here arguing with me."

The silver ring in his eyes returned.

The warden's smile vanished. "Rook, obey the court.