Page 110 of Daughter of the Dark Sea

He’d already broken one promise about remaining onHell’s Serpent.She wasn’t sure whether she believed he could keep another. She was surrounded by lies and secrets—and it was becoming hard to tell which were real. He gripped her shoulder, his strong hands clenching around her arms, and she winced as his grip rubbed against her healing rope burns, but Blake didn’t let go.

“Wewill be together till the end, Kora. I’m not letting go of you.”

“Maybe . . .Ishould be letting go ofyou.” She’d thought about it long and hard. He’d already decided to seek employment in the army, and that kind of distance wasn’t feasible. Their time wasn’t now. Not with a war approaching.

Perhaps the empire was right, relationships between officers were a bad idea. They’d only be distracted, unable to commit to what atrocities laid ahead. If they survived the war . . . then they had a chance.

Blake flinched, his face drooping in shock. “You don’t mean that. You’re pushing me away because of the war.” His grip tightened so much that Kora hissed in pain, but he still didn’t let go. “Don’t do thisagain. I can’t lose you Kora, I need you with me, beside me.”

What are you doing?

Leaving.

No . . . Kora. Don’t leave, please. We’ll get through this together.

One of us must die Blake . . . this is for the best.

She gasped, shoving past the memory of the night before the final contest of the Darkoning Trials. It’d been one of her lowest and darkest moments. And she’d nearly throwneverythingaway.

“I’m notdoinganything. I’m thinking of what’s best for you!” She tried to break free from his grip, but Blake was as solid as the stone of the mountain.By the gods.

She’d been selfish their entire relationship, and she was done. She was ready to leap, and free fall into the abyss, releasing him from their vow.

“You’re what’s best for me! I have no future without you,” he pleaded.

“I’m just in the way,” Kora mumbled, tears threatening to surface. “You could achieve so much more without me. The empire needs you.”

“You areeverything. Everything I have worked for and more.” His plead turned rough, and her neck cracked as he shook her. “I have doneeverythingfor you, to be here with you. You have no idea! We made a vow!”

“I-I know, Blake, stop it . . .” she fumbled at his hands. “You’re hurting me!”

Just like that, a shadow cast over Blake’s face as the moon dipped behind a cloud and he released her, staring at his own hands as if he didn’t recognise them.Almighty Thanos.That conversation did not go as she’d planned.

“Kora!”

Bree staggered over, her goblet of wine sloshing over the wooden deck, staining her purple gown tangling around her feet.

“Bree? How many of those have you had?”

“That . . . is none of your concern,” Bree’s words slurred as she dazedly smiled at Blake, her blue eyes sparkling. Her perfect mouth parted as she exhaled, her full bosom rising in her tight corset.

Calypso spare her, this was the worst timing.

“Why don’t you spend some time with a royal noble?” Bree’s attempt at purring was nauseating, and she trailed one fingerdown Blake’s chest, her fingers tracing the buttons and buckles of his black attire.

“Not now,” Blake spoke gruffly, his stubbled jaw clenched.

Not now?Kora stared at him incredulously—what did that mean?

Bree’s stare slanted to Kora.

“You,” she hissed, and Kora blinked in shock at her friend. “You’re always in the way. I saw you two together just now.Youjust don’t wantmeto be with him. Well, I have news for you, Kora Cadell, the champion would never stoop so low to be with someone the likes of you.”

Kora’s mouth dropped open as Bree flattened her palm against Blake’s chest in a feeble attempt to claim him in front of her.

“Bree! What . . . why . . . why would you . . .”

Blake didn’t remove Bree’s glistening hand, and stood there as statuesque as the towering station. Kora glared at them both, her simmering temper threatening to boil over.Stay calm, stay calm.