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“Don’t you dare argue with me, Alabath, or I’ll find a different use for that mouth of yours.” That stunned her into silence. Then, a quick laugh escaped her. “This Angelcurse is your destiny? Fine. Then write it into my fate, too. Because you’re my destiny.” I gripped her by the back of the neck, tugging her until our foreheads were pressed together. “You’re my destiny, Alabath. Infinitely yours, and for whatever waits beyond. And though they may not mean it in the same way—or I hope they don’t—your sister, Cypherion, Santorina…they’d all say the same. This fight is all of ours.”

Ophelia’s eyes dropped to her scar again, and I whispered, “She won’t get you.” I would be strong enough to protect her.

Visions of marble stairs and sharp daggers and blood—so much blood—filtered through my mind again.

Failure.

“I know.” Ophelia brushed off my comment, walls snapping back up.

All of my fear vanished at her dismissive tone. She truly didn’t get what I’d do for her, did she?

“No. Listen to me, Alabath. Nothing will happen to you, so long as my heart beats.” Unless I—no, my mind couldn’t go there right now. “That queen will die long before you do, and you will get the long, happy life you deserve.”

For a beat of silence, we sat there, looking at each other. Every word I’d said sat between us as she took them in one by one. As she counted the amber specks in my eyes she said she loved so much, and I counted her breaths. As she picked apart each syllable I’d spoken, testing them for holes, for a hint of weakness.

Keep looking, Alabath, I blinked at her. I dare you to find a lie.

She leaned a little closer and did what she did when she didn’t know what else to say—pressed her lips to mine and said everything with that little touch. Except this time, her hands slipped up my shoulders, tightening behind my neck. Her fingers curled in my hair, and—fucking Angels—she rolled her hips against me; every good intention I had went out the window.

A few more seconds?—

My hand tightened on her waist on its own, grinding her against me, and the other tangled in her hair. A small moan slipped up her throat. Damn Spirits, that nearly undid me.

“Okay,” I breathed against her lips. “Let’s calm down.” I needed to, because it would only take the slightest touch from her to push me to the point of no return, and she was scared and worrying right now. I wouldn’t have her like this for the first time.

“Calm down?” she asked through swollen lips and lust-filled eyes I’d be thinking about later.

“Alabath,” I groaned, falling back against the pillow.

“I’m…not ready.” Dammit—the apology in her voice? She had nothing to be sorry for.

“Look at me.” I slipped a finger beneath her chin, drawing her eyes. “You never have to explain yourself with me.” She was tunneling into her past. Restless energy had her fingers toying with her pin on my leathers, so, I added, “If we don’t stop now, I won’t be able to stop at all, and leaving tomorrow will be a lot harder if you can’t walk.”

Her eyes lit up—hungry and desiring. Damn me if it wasn’t one of the most beautiful sights.

Leaning forward, I gave her one more kiss, let this one linger, then lifted her off my lap as the door handle rattled.

“Tolek!” Jezebel shouted, banging on the door. “You weren’t supposed to lock me out.”

“You locked it?” Ophelia laughed, pulling her robe tighter.

I shrugged. “She deserved it.” My eyes flicked to where the contraceptive tonic hid under Ophelia’s bed, but it wasn’t visible.

“You’re leaving?” she asked as I shoved my feet into my boots.

“I need to go take care of this.” I waved a hand at the evident bulge straining against my leathers as Jezzie pounded on the door again, wood shuddering. Damn, her fists were strong. Remember to never fight her, especially with that chilling death power. “And you need to go take care of that.”

The shadow of everything that had happened with her sister passed over her face, taking the little joy we’d found with it. I’d have to get better at keeping it away longer. Or never leave her side.

“Hey.” I stepped forward, kissing her forehead one more time. “Talk to her. I bet she has a lot of answers.” Starting with how she wielded that power and where the fuck it came from.

“I’m worried about her.”

“She’s as tough as you are. She learned from the best—takes about as long to open up as the best, too.” She glared at me briefly for that one. “My point is, she’s going through something. She’ll talk about it eventually.”

“Tolek!” Another series of pounding. “You better not be in my bed!”

“Now there’s an idea.” I swung the door open. “I’ll have to remember that for next time.”