Page 69 of The Sin Binder's Chains

I should have known this was coming. Because Vaelrik doesn’t just hate that I stayed behind at Daemon Academy, that I let myself be controlled. He hates why.

He hates that I let myself be claimed, by something other than war.

By something other than him.

I exhale slowly. "And what? You let me out of these chains out of the goodness of your heart?"

"No." His fingers trail down to my collar, the touch so light it makes my skin crawl. "I let you out because I know what you are, Riven. You weren’t made to be tamed."

He tilts his head, eyes gleaming. "You were made for this, chaos, carnage, blood in your teeth and fire in your veins. You think she understands that? You think she’ll let you be what you are?"

His thumb presses beneath my jaw, tilting my chin up just slightly. "Tell me, brother." His voice drops to a whisper. "When she looks at you, do you think she sees a man?" A pause. "Or a monster waiting to be put down?"

My breath is steady. My pulse is not.

Because the worst part?

The worst part is that I’ve thought about it.

About the way Luna watches me sometimes, like she’s trying to understand what I am, like she hasn’t decided whether to save me or survive me.

Like she knows, deep down, that I might not be hers to keep.

Vaelrik must see the flicker of it in my face, because he leans in, pressing his lips to my ear like he’s telling a secret. "You don’t have to die for them."

The words slither through my ribs, sink deep.

"You don’t have to die for her."

And that is what makes me laugh.

Because he fucking thinks this is about survival.

I grin, tilting my head just enough to meet his eyes. "That’s where you’re wrong, Vaelrik." My voice is quiet. "I don’t mind dying for her."

Vaelrik stills.

Not in surprise. Not in anger.

Something worse.

Something like understanding.

Because now he knows.

Knows that there’s nothing left to break in me.

Knows that he could carve into me for days, strip me down to blood and ruin, and it wouldn’t change a thing.

Because I have already chosen my side.

And I will never be his.

The moment fractures, the air between us turns sharp.

Vaelrik exhales through his nose, shaking his head, almost… disappointed. "Such a fucking waste."

Then he’s gone, the heat of him retreating, his presence sliding back into the dark.

I exhale slowly, pressing my head against the wall, rolling my shoulders against the chains.

They tighten.

I smile.

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