Page 94 of Zayrik

I stood. Crossed to her sweater and ran a hand across the collar.

Memorizing.

Promising.

Becoming something more than just a warrior.

Something that would make Vask wish he’d never heard her name.

Then turned and walked out.

When the door shut behind me, it felt final.

Like closing a tomb. Leaving behind the last traces of who I used to be.

But I didn’t look back.

Couldn’t.

Because the next time I saw her, I wasn’t going to whisper.

I wasn’t going to beg.

I was going to bring back the galaxy’s sharpest blade

And cut down anyone who touched her.

Anyone who made her fear.

Anyone who thought they could take what was mine.

Through our bond, I felt her resignation shift to hope.

Just for a moment.

Just enough.

She knew I was coming.

So did Vask.

He just didn’t understand what that meant.

Through our bond, I felt the moment she decided to fight.

Felt her warrior’s heart surge with determination.

With purpose.

With the kind of strength that had made me fall for her in the first place.

My marks flared. Colors blazing with every vow I’d made and every soul I planned to destroy.

A warning.

A call to arms.

Hold on,K’sha.

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