Page 39 of Zayrik

Because I couldn’t say it.

Couldn’t lie to him. Not about this.

Not when every cell in my body knew he was right.

The silence stretched, laden with all the things I couldn’t say. All the truths I’d spent years running from.

I felt him behind me, steady and quiet and maddening. The space between us charged like the moment before a storm breaks.

It was a standoff.

And for once?

I didn’t want to win.

Zayrik

SHE WASN’T WALKINGaway.

Not this time.

The realization hit like a physical force, making my blood surge hot in my veins.

I should’ve stepped back. Let her go. Protected us both from whatever this was becoming.

But I didn’t.

Couldn’t.

I waited.

Let her feel me there, close enough to touch but not touching.

Let her decide.

Every muscle in my body tight with the effort of staying still.

And when she turned—

When her eyes found mine, lips parted—

I knew.

She was done fighting this.

And I was done pretending I didn’t want her.

Done pretending I hadn’t been falling since the moment I found her on my ship.

Nyla

I DIDN’T THINK.

Didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t talk myself out of it.

For once, I let instinct win over survival.

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