Page 127 of Bitten & Burned
Cassian was inside, leaning over a table covered in maps.
I hesitated at the threshold.
“Cassian…” My voice came out softer than I meant.
The bond with Cassian tugged faintly, urging patience. It only made the sting sharper—I didn’t want patience, I wanted to be seen.
He didn’t look up. “Hmm?”
“Do you have time for me?”
“Of course. Just a moment—I need to keep my train of thought while I?—”
He sighed—not heavy, not annoyed, but enough to stop me in my tracks.
“Never mind,” I said quickly. “I’ll find you later.”
“No—Rowena, it’s fine. I just need to finish this thought?—”
But I was already backing out.
He wasn’t angry. Just preoccupied with the manor. With me. With keeping me safe. Gods, I knew that going in.
It was only bad timing.
That was all.
Each step back from the war room sent a faint throb through the sigil, like it was keeping pace with my retreat.
My steps picked up speed. Fast. Faster. I wanted as much space between me and that door as I could get.
I still didn’t know where I was going.
Until I did.
Across the manor. Down a familiar hall. To a door I knew would always open.
Dmitri.
I knocked. Waited.
The door opened.
QUIL
“Fuck…” I growled, nails digging into my palms. “Fuck.”
Why the fuck had I said it like that?
Why the fuck had I said anything at all?
The bond with her still thrummed through me, ragged and raw. Every beat reminded me of the way she’d pulled back, the way I’d driven her off.
She’d come looking for answers. Asked why I was acting strange.
She was right. Iwasacting strange.
Because of the sigil scorched into her hip. Because I recognized it. Because I knew what it meant. Because I knew it hurt her—and I knew why.
