21
A silent promise
ZARA
Islam the bathroom door shut and slide down its wood until I’m sitting on the floor. I screw my eyes shut, expecting an outburst from Kade, but there’s nothing. There’s no shouting or swearing. No banging on the door and absolutely no magic whatsoever.
I tip my head forward and I find myself thankful he has the goddamn sense to keep his fucking mouth shut. My head falls into my hands and my fingers dig into my scalp as I rock my weight back and forward, failing to do anything helpful.
It’s all too much.
It’s more than anyone can endure.
I look around the small and dim bathroom, noticing the pale glow from a lantern that sputters and casts vile shadows. The cracked tiles are cold despite the thick trousers I’m still wearing, and I barely notice the icy lick travelling up my legs. My chest tightens with every shallow breath and I don’t knowhow to cope with everything that’s happened.
I found freedom and caused my coven’s destruction, unleashed Gods’ only know what evil when Kade and I were attacked, and somehow ended up bound to the warlock who killed my sisters. I drag a shaky breath through my teeth and it splinters into a choked sob. I clamp my hand over my mouth, silencing myself to stop him from hearing me like this.
I’m crumbling.
I’m fucking crying.
And the faint creak of wood cries out as Kade steps close to the bathroom.
“Zara.”
He doesn’t say more, doesn’t demand I open the door, or snap at me for running. It’s just my name, whispered like it’s a lifeline, and it’s more deafening than if he shouted it.
I squeeze my eyes shut, my hands fisting in my hair.
“LEAVE. ME. ALONE.”
There’s a beat of hesitation and an ominous silence replaces the tense quiet that existed before. My skin feels the night creeping around me, certain Kade isn’t letting this rest and won't do as I ask. He’s all the shadows in the valley of the shadow of death and I should fear his evil, for no one can save me from him and I doubt whether any magic can wash clean the stain he’s left on my soul.
My eyelids flutter over, heavy with the weight of my tears, and I know he’s here. The bathroom isn’t empty anymore, and my sanctuary has been defiled. The room feels impossibly small now he’s in it, his presence taking up all the crevices and space I can’t occupy. His form solidifies and his gaze locks on mine, calm but intense as he materializes from the darkness and the knot in my chest tightens further.
I press harder against the door and he moves slowly, hishead tilted at that annoying angle that means he’s thinking. Kade crouches in front of me, his hands resting on his knees, with an unreadable expression. He’s the calm that opposes my fury, the ice that clashes against my fire. He’s a warlock and I’m a witch, and somehow this thing that shouldn’t work feels like it could.
More than that, like it is.
“You’re shaking,” he says softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
There’s no trace of his usual sharpness. No smug smile. No mocking tone. Just quiet intensity and a softness that’s more terrifying than all his cold and calculated cruelty.
“It’s been a long few days,” he sighs. “I’m not here to fight. I’m not here to push you into making a choice you’re not ready to make. I just need to know that you’re okay.”
I scoff and the tears running down my face become torrents.
“How the fuck do you expect me to be okay with anything?”
I snap, my voice cracking as he stares at me, unflinching.
“I don’t want anything from you.”
I’m aware I’m close to losing my shit and that this is unbecoming, and I don’t give one single fuck.
“Stop looking at me like that,” I scream, my hands suddenly pummelling his chest as he does nothing more than nod as I rant and seethe. “I don’t need your fucking pity.”
I collapse my head against his chest and sob loudly.
