Page 81 of Clash of Storms
"Me."
Malin's face paled. "I told you.... There can be nothing between us if you're bound to her. I won't be anyone's second choice. Not even yours."
"You'renotmy second choice," he snarled, stepping close.
"Then prove it."
Damn her. He just needed her to understand. "I can't give her up. I can't fail my brother—"
"Then go!" Malin slammed both hands against his chest, and Sirius rocked back a step. "You cannot have it both ways. Go fetch your princess. Go save your brother."
His hands locked around her wrists, but Malin struggled against him.
Raindrops spattered down upon them. When he looked up, he could see those dark clouds circling above them, almost like a vortex that swirled directly over the pair of them. Adrekistorm, but not one of his own making. No. Because he wasn't angry at this moment. He felt utterly wretched instead.
But then, someone else was angry. Someone with just enoughdrekiblood in her veins to call Fire into being.
Sweet Goddess.
Malin was calling the storm into life. Malin, with that fury in her eyes, and something else he couldn't quite identify painted across her face. What the hell was that emotion?
Was it hurt?
What did it mean? Did shewanthim to stay?
"Damn you, go." She slammed her fists against his chest. "Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"As though I mean something to you—"
"Youdo. I don't want her. I've never wanted her. All I've ever wanted is you."
Malin's chest rose and fell as she searched his gaze. The not-quite-hopeful way she looked at him stole his breath.
Those big, brown eyes were enormous, but he couldn't read the look in them. He had never been able to.
She didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Just stared, her lips slowly parting as if she'd come to some recognition, and damn him if he didn't wish they were linked right now so he could know what it was.
"Prove it," she whispered, and he knew she was demanding he make a choice.
Sirius bowed his head. "I cannot forsake Andri. Not even for you—"
"Then don't."This time it was Malin who took a step toward him. She clasped his hands. "There has to be more than one way to save your brother's life. We both know he's locked away inside the court. What if we returned? What if we managed to rescue Andri?"
Sirius looked at her sharply.
"Your father would never expect it ofyou," she whispered. "We could be long gone—with Andri—before they even knew we were there. We could.... Find somewhere. We could be safe. And Árdís would be free."
He glanced toward the ship. Malin's offer sounded incredibly tempting. "And us?" he asked hoarsely. "What of us?"
Malin bit her lip, tracing her fingers down his shirt. Lightning flashed, highlighting her expression as she glanced up from beneath her lashes. "Maybe there would be a chance... to explore whatever this is between us."
Instinct drove him to claim, to demand. The mating urge was rightthere.
