Page 311 of Scorched Earth

“There didn’t seem much point given that the decision was made for me.” Marcus rested his elbows on the windowsill. “But many times since, I’ve wondered how it would have gone if the Twenty-Ninth hadn’t caught us. If we’d abandoned everything to hide somewhere where no one knew our names. But in every vision of that future, you always found out about Lydia. You always turned on me because I could never outrun justice. So I won’t try now.”

“But you are being executed for things you were forced to do.” Teriana pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes, trying to contain her tears. “You were blackmailed.”

“Those are the reasons the Empire will execute me, but they aren’t the only reasons I deserve to die. In truth, they are the least significant.” He drew in a deep breath. “Gamdesh will never be the same because of me. Nor Chersome nor Bardeen nor any other nation I’ve invaded. Thousands dead. Hundreds of thousands without homes. Revat is destroyed and the greatest monuments to the Six in ruins because I willed it so. If the Senate hanged me a thousand times, it would not be sufficient punishment.”

“Punishment won’t undo the past.” The Six help her, Teriana knew her words were selfish. Self-serving. That the world should condemn her for saying them. “It won’t change anything.”

A lie, because it would change everything.

Marcus turned around, and when she saw his eyes liquid with unshed tears, her control cracked. “Please don’t do this, Marcus. Please find another way.”

His hand curved around the side of her face, and she leaned into his touch, familiar even after their time apart. In truth, she’d recognize the feel of his hand when she was old and grey, if given the chance. But there’d be no more chances.

“The world has suffered in a way that it hasn’t in living memory,” he said softly. “People need to see heroes like you and Lydia triumph so that they have hope. But they also need to see villains like me face justice.”

“I am no one’s hero.”

“How can you say that when you struck the blow that changed the tide of the war? How can you say that when you united nations in order to fight back against their oppressors? How can you say that when it wasyouwho put the Empire on the back foot for the first time in generations?” He tipped her face up so that she was looking into his eyes. “Real heroes aren’t pristine. They’re covered in blood and muck from fighting on the front lines. You fought well, Teriana, but most importantly, you kept fighting, even when it hurt.”

It still hurt.

Would always hurt.

From their first moments, they’d been on opposing sides. Enemies, in every possible way. Destined to end badly. But not once had she imagined that it would end because they were finally standing on the same side.

A knock sounded through the door, and Felix called, “It’s time.”

No!Her heart screamed the word, but she refused to allow it to pass her lips, because she knew Marcus would not be swayed. Knew that she shouldn’t try because it would diminish his sacrifice. And her own.

“Marcus, I’ve given you as long as I could,” Felix called. “They’re taking Cassius to the Forum now.”

“Just… wait,” he called back.

Not yet.

Marcus lowered his head and kissed her. The thrill of it was the same as it had been the first time, perhaps because she knew it would be the last.

“I wish I had more time.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Time to say all the things I should’ve said before.”

“Say them now.” Her face was slick with tears, the words torn out between sobs.

“Marcus!”

“I love you, Teriana.” He kissed her again. “To my last breath, I will love you.”

Teriana couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t speak. Every part of her felt broken, and she clung to his neck, not willing to let go. But then Marcus was tugging her arms loose. Pulling a plain white tunic over his head and belting it with a cord. Then he hammered a fist against the door, and Felix immediately opened it.

Yet instead of leaving, Marcus gripped her shoulders. “Live, Teriana.” His fingers tightened. “And please don’t watch me die.”

Then he was gone.

124MARCUS

He dragged a hand across his face to wipe away the tears as he left her, leading Felix and Servius down the corridor with long strides, because if he didn’t put distance between himself and Teriana, Marcus knew that he’d turn around.

That he’d go back to her. And that no power on Reath would pull him away from her again.

“I don’t want to hear any more arguments from you two,” he muttered. “Let’s just get this done.”