Page 129 of The Sin Binder's Chains

Soft. Steady.

“Riven.”

It’s not a question. It’s not a plea. It’s a command, a lifeline, something only she could ever get away with.

His jaw clenches, his entire body trembling beneath her hold, and for a second, I think he’s going to fight her, push her away, push us all away.

But then, he exhales.

The Wrath flickers.

Not gone, not entirely, but cracking, splintering, letting something else break through the haze. His grip on his weapon loosens, his shoulders drop, and when his head turns, when his gaze finally finds her, he looks lost.

Like, he doesn’t know where he is.

Like, he doesn’t know who he is.

Luna doesn’t let go. She holds onto him tighter, grounding him, dragging him back from the edge of something too vast, too consuming.

“Come back to me,” she murmurs.

And against all odds, he does.

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