Page 18 of Hollowed

He breathed once. Shallow.

“What does it mean?” I whispered.

He looked down.

“This is where they vowed me to silence.”

I swallowed.

“And this?” I asked, my fingertip grazing one mark below his ribs.

He didn’t speak.

Just met my gaze.

Then said, “This is where I answered.”

The air between us cracked.

Not with sound.

With knowing.

I leaned forward.

Pressed my lips to the first mark.

Not a kiss.

A benediction.

His breath caught.

My mouth moved to the next.

And the next.

I didn’t know what I was doing.

Only that it felt right.

Like I was claiming him in the same way he had just claimed me.

When I reached the broken circle at his throat, I paused.

He tilted his chin up.

Offered it.

My lips brushed the center.

And I whispered,

“Let me vow it too.”

His eyes snapped open.

Dark.

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