Page 89 of Zayrik

The last thing I felt through our bond was his promise:

He was coming for me.

No matter what.

No matter what it cost.

And that?

That was the one thing I couldn’t protect him from.

28

Zayrik

THE DOORS SLAMMED SHUTbehind her. Taking everything with them.

Everything except the rage.

I didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

Couldn’t.

My body turned to steel.

Not from fear.

From rage so pure it crystallized in my veins.

She was gone.

Ripped from me while I was still reaching for her. Still memorizing the shape of her in my arms.

Still tasting her name on my tongue.

The bond between us stretched thin but didn’t break, letting me feel fragments of her fear. Her determination, her silent plea for me to live.

I stood there, fists tight.

Breathing too slow.

My marks burning beneath my skin like they were trying to lead me to her.

Because if I let myself feel it, really feel it—

If I let myself remember how she looked at me before surrendering... I would burn this entire godsdamned station down to the bones.

Would tear apart anyone who stood between us.

She told me not to come after her. But even her voice had cracked on the lie.

Even through our bond, I felt her doubt.

She didn’t believe it.

Neither did I.

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