“I love you, Marin.”
The world tilted as if the bridge was dissolving beneath my feet. My pulse roared in my ears.
“I knew you were mine the day you left sea glass in my pocket.”
His words echoed through the air, wrapping around me.
“You call me a thief, and you’re right. I am. I would steal your heart in a second if I could. My love for you is greedy. Insatiable. And even if I had your love, I’d always want more. So no. I won’t cut my losses and go home. I won’t live that life without you.”
Something flashed in his eyes. Something dangerous.
I went ice cold.
“Gavin—”
The wind howled between us as if it screamed his intentions. He didn’t look away as he stepped toward me, straight into the open air.
“No!”
The scream tore from my throat. I lunged, arms outstretched as if I could catch him before he fell. My heart slammed against my ribs, panic drowning out rational thought.
But he didn’t fall.
Gavin’s boots landed soundlessly in front of me, planted on the cloud walk.
I choked on a gasp, my entire body shuddering as my legs buckled. I dropped onto the cloud walk, barely catching myself with my hands.
“How?”
His mouth curved as he sank down in front of me, one knee hitting the clouds. His hands gripped my shoulders, keeping me steady.
“First rule of thieves: never keep something you don’t want stolen in your pocket.”
My gaze dropped to the leather pouches in my hand. I ripped his open. It wasn’t his cloud token. The trick coin gleamed inside the pouch. My head snapped up, but Gavin wasalready reaching into his boot. He pulled the real cloud token free, holding it up between two fingers like a winning hand.
“How did you know I’d steal it?” My voice wavered. “I only decided a few minutes ago.”
“I didn’t.” He shook his head. “But when it comes to you, I never leave things to chance. I hedge my bets. Always.” His eyes searched mine. “Because this is what you do. You put everyone else first, then try to take on the world alone. You secretly tried to find the answers to the symbol on my compass. You bargained with the sea queen for your friend’s freedom. And now you think you can save me from this hunt by leaving me behind.”
His hands slid up, cupping my face, brushing the tears away as they fell. “That life you described?” His thumb swept over my cheekbone. “I want it too. But only if you’re there with me. It’s always been you and me, Mare.”
A faint smile ghosted his lips. “Now you know the first rule of thieves. And thanks to an ill-timed saboteur, the first rule of snake charming.”
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for me. “But it’s time you learned the first rule of Gavin Blackwood: you're my compass, and I'll follow you to the end.”
“You’re impossible.”
“So you tell me. Insufferable, reckless—”
I shook my head, flattening my palm against the solid warmth of his chest.
“Loved.”
Gavin went still. “What?”
My voice didn’t waver this time. “You don’t have to steal my heart, Gavin. It’s already yours. You might be a thief, but you’ve never taken from me. You only give. And I love you.”
His forehead dropped to mine, almost like he couldn’t believe what I was saying.
