Drave

od. Some of it belonged to th

his skin. His wounds would heal, but the exhaustion he

m h

. Her eyes were wide, silver-gray, distant. Her breath came in

ike h

The bond between them was stronger than he'd anticipated. The moon's mark-whatever it had

g uncont

ra said, her voice lo

body ached, but it wasn't the wounds that bothered him. It was her-h

r gaze flicking to the bodies in the

. They don't follow the laws of the pa

eyes narrowing. "I didn't

ing colder. "I killed them because they were a threat t

ment, there was nothing between

ld see the confusion, the de

she said finally,

his voice firm, unwaverin

falling with rapid breaths. "This bond... th

t sure why, but he reached out, his fingers brushing her arm gen

him, the sudden mov

er voice trembling. "You don'

ted to tell her that the bond was stronger than

sure who he was trying to

is voice soft now. "I just... need to under

oulders slumped, and for a moment, Kael thought she

But I do know this: I'm not here to be a pawn in

o approach this carefully. He couldn't push her. Not like this

Lyra," he said quietly. "I jus

man who killed those wolves in cold blood? The man wh

r you. I did it to protect you. But I know I

her silver eyes searching his face.

expect me to trust you just because

don't want you to b

me, Lyra met his gaz

want me to be?"

and fast. But he couldn't say it-not yet

ep back, giv

e said, his voice hoarse.

owed felt like a weig

w one thing

d burn before