Page 83 of Shadowkissed

“You mean when you become what he’s been trying to make you.”

Another nod.

He’s closer now. I can feel the heat of him, steady and real andgrounding—the only anchor I’ve had in weeks.

“I’m sealing myself in the underworld.”

He doesn’t say anything at first. Just breathes.

Then, quietly: “You’ll die down there.”

“Maybe.” I lift my chin. “But at least I won’t kill anyone else.”

His voice drops, rough as gravel. “That’s not your choice to make alone.”

“It’s mine if I’m the one with a world-ending trigger under my skin.”

His hands curl into fists. “You think I care about that?”

“Youshould.”

“I do,” he growls. “I care abouteverythingyou are. Light, shadow, starborn fury—I want all of it.”

I blink. “Even if it kills you?”

“If it kills me, I die loving you.”

Gods. I can’t breathe.

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” I whisper.

“I do,” he says, stepping closer until we’re toe-to-toe. “I’ve seen what you did in New Orleans. I went last night to see what you did to the forest. Istillwant you.”

My hands tremble. “I’m not safe.”

“Neither am I.”

A silence falls between us—loud and aching and so full of everything we can’t take back.

“I killed Thorne,” I whisper. “Maybe not with my hands. But with what I am. I’m the reason he’s dead.”

Dante lifts his hand, brushes hair from my face like I’m something delicate. “You didn’t kill Thorne. Seraphiel did.”

“Ilethim,” I snap. “I led him right to him and that’s all it took. He knew I was seeking his guidance. If I hadn’t had gone–”

“No.” His voice is fire now. “You’re the one who can end this. That’s why he wants you. That’s why you scare the fucking stars.”

I choke on a laugh. “You’re insane.”

“For you?” he grins, soft and broken and too beautiful. “Completely.”

I look up at him, every wall I’ve built around myself cracking.

He touches my cheek, leans in close.

“You’re not sealing yourself away,” he says. “You’re not running. You’re staying here. With me. Withus.We’ll train. We’ll fight. We’ll win. We can work on control, you wielding what you are in a way to make things right. That’s what you can do for Thorne.”

“And if I break again?”

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