Chapter 19 · I wasn't planning to

"I wasn't planning to."

"Good."

"And if I remove your mark?"

"You can't."

"If I find a way?"

"The Void will close around you."

"You're threatening me again."

"I'm telling you what happens when you tear out a chain without knowing what it's attached to."

"You could explain instead of acting like some dark king who expects everyone to bow."

"Everyone else can bow. You don't have to."

Her breath caught.

Cane's gaze dropped to her lips for the second time. This time, he stayed there long enough for her to notice. His hand loosened around her wrists, but the shadows still held her ankles. He was giving her a choice inside a trap.

Selena should have pushed him away.

Instead, her fingers curled against his shirt.

The fabric was warm beneath them. She felt the steady beat of his heart through it, too controlled for a man bleeding from the mouth and holding a broken oath seal in place.

His eyes lifted back to hers.

"Careful," he whispered.

"You keep saying that."

"Because you keep doing dangerous things."

"Maybe I want to see what you'll do."

The corner of his mouth moved. "You already know.