Scarlett
The silence between us crackles like kindling.
We haven’t spoken since the fight in the sitting room. Since I stood there, magic singing under my skin, and watched Erik step back like he didn’t recognize me.
Now he stands across the room, half in shadow, arms folded across his chest like a barrier I’m too tired to scale.
I cross to him anyway.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” I say softly.
“You didn’t.” He meets my eyes. “You just reminded me how far from us you’re getting.”
His honesty slices deeper than any spell. I should defend myself. Tell him I’m doing this for all of us. That I have no choice.
But the truth is, I do. And I keep choosing this path anyway.
So instead of answering, I reach for his hand. He lets me take it.
My fingers thread through his, and I step in closer, resting my forehead lightly against his chest. His scent wraps around me. Familiar. Safe. Real.
He breathes in, like he’s trying to memorize me.
“I don’t know how to protect you from this,” he murmurs.
“
