r violence was a

ing limply in her lap. The world outside the windows looked the same-lights glittering, tr

watched

in stories whispere

ed it happen

ck came at

ed insti

," Nikol

ut she didn't tell h

movements slower than before, the edge of battle finally worn a

omach

ld sleep,

t," she

ed toward the window, standing a few feet away from her,

"Anyone who came for you

ound comforting

replied. "It mea

wed. "Lear

what's mine has

s landed

t him sharply.

turn. "You're u

n't make m

tly. "It makes you

eath c

ifferent from possession

y cold. "How many people hav

en, his gaze steady. "To

" she said. "M

he interrupted. "As

"So it's not about

n for a while,

. "Then why am

ecause sending you away would be

o?" sh

e replied i

eakly. "You c

loser. "No. I ca

n his voice u

had been clawing at her chest since the shoo

n't answer

hey made their choice before t

eyes. She blinked hard,

this world,"

" he sai

rag me deep

irst," he replied. "I'm just

in a heavy wave. For the first time since she'd be

oticed im

own,"

. "If I sleep, I'l

nything touch

eptically. "You can'

"But I can make s

e-quiet, unwavering-

ped slightly as Nikolai sat on the edge, far enough not

t staying,

" he r

ed a guard

ht, yo

luttered. "Yo

he said.

n't arg

oke to

she was home-safe, young, untouched by fear. T

d sharply-

ped loosely ar

stiffened

head slowly,

closed. His arm rested around her with unconscious ease, protective rather t

ween panic and something da

hould

di

ed uncomfortabl

safer l

fingers flexing against her si

eath c

pace. His arm tightened reflexively,

mured, voice ro

d different lik

e," she w

almost instantly. He seemed to register

pa

r immediately, sitt

e said quick

e stre

sleep?"

she a

d on her face, a

covers around herself. "

said simpl

itated.

e fear leaves marks. I won't le

oat tig

indness. Especially n

," she sai

htened as if the

changing the subject. "Yo

dded f

eave, she spoke

ed at t

he asked, "would this

answer r

finally. "Just

esty wa

t in silence, staring a

still hi

pped in h

aken, the lines were blurring-and that fr

ere easier to e

no longer just the De

ing between her and everythin