Gather myself.
She jerks her chin at my hands. “Why are you bleeding?”
I stretch my fingers and glance down, getting a good look at the gory damage. “Breaking the pier was the only way to get you up and out the exit.”
Something I hope doesn’t swing around and bite us, given I had to pull from Rygun’s strength. Had to momentarilyopenmyself to him to do so, voiding my emotions in hopes of avoiding a flaming rampage from my overprotective beast.
Her brow almost arches off her face. “You broke the pier with yourfists?”
“With Rygun’s help.” I fold my arms, hiding my bloody hands. “How is it that you can hear the Creators down here?”
“No idea.”
“You spoke with Rayne—”
“Never again.”
I suck air through my teeth. “There are those sky-high walls I so love to bash myself against. Utris?”
“Accounted for.”
“Did you get my lark?”
“Yes.”
“Verdict?”
She lifts her chin. “I’ll see out the moonfalls at your mah’s retreat, but I have a condition.”
Relief like I’ve never felt floods my chest. “I’m listening …”
“You’re there, too.”
For a moment, all I can do is stare—unbreathing.
Unmoving.
I wish I could reach forward and kiss her, slow and without urgency. Feast on that small, powerful sentence for eternity.
Except—
“I have a kingdom to serve, Moonbeam …”
“A kingdom you’ll continue to serve after the falls because you’ll be alive. Because I’ll keep youalive.”
My smile is just as soft as my rapidly beating heart. “Light of my life, youdiddecide to care.”
“Screw you,” she snaps, and my smile grows.
“Please. You won’t hear a word of complaint from me.”
Her breath hitches, lips parting as her eyes blaze, cheeks reddening in a way that makes my blood turn molten. She swallows, clears her throat, then says, “Tempting as it is, fucking you makes me stupid. I need my wits about me if I’m to keep your heart beating.”
She thinks I need protection? Pretty rich from someone who’s already died once. Not to mention her numerous near-death experiences since.
My laugh is a mirthless roll, hands threading through my hair to distract them from reaching forward, grabbing her by the shoulders, and either shaking her or kissing her. “If only you weren’t blind to the irony.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
