CIAN
"And I chose mine too." She held my gaze. "How can you fault me for that? You chose your family, Cian. I chose mine. We are exactly the same."
The comparison sat in my chest like something swallowed wrong.
"I'll get a sentinel," I said. "Get this over with."
I started for the door. I heard the shift in the air behind me, that particular charge that magic carried right before it was released, and I turned.
Her hands were up.
I looked at them. Then I looked at her face.
"Go on then," I said softly. "I bet it feels good. The thought of it. Striking me down. Maybe popping my head clean like you did with good old Ophelia."
"I don't want to hurt you." Her hands dropped. Her voice broke completely. "I don't."
I walked toward her.
"No," I said. "You do."
I stopped close. Too close. I could see every ruined line of her face.
"I curse the day I met you."
She fell apart.
