Page 141 of The Cost of Blood and Bonds

She goes still. Completely, utterly still.

Stones.

“I’m sorry.” The words tumble out. “I didn’t mean to—I shouldn’t have—I heard Marel say it, and I just—” I’m spiraling, panic clawing up my throat. “Forget I said anything. Please⁠—”

She steps closer. Her hands come up to cup my face, and the words die in my throat. She’s looking at me like I just gave her something precious. Something she never expected to have.

“Ryewood.” Her voice is trembling, barely a whisper. “I love you too. Say it again,” she breathes. “Call me Ella again.”

My heart stops, and I stare at her. This woman who’s been hiding behind walls and secrets and a name that isn’t hers. Who just handed me the most vulnerable part of herself and asked me not to break it. I brush my thumbs across her cheeks.

“I love you, Ella.”

A sound escapes her, half-laugh, half-sob, and she goes up on her toes to press her forehead to mine.

“I love you, Ryewood.”

I kiss her. I pour everything into it, every fear, every hope, every desperate plea that this isn’t the last time. She melts into me, her hands fisting in my jacket, holding on like I’m the only thing keeping her tethered to this world.

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard. I don’t let go; I can’t.

“Listen to me.” She pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, her hands still on my face. “After the trials, you need to go north, to Northpine. Go to Marel and Olin. They’re the only ones we can trust. They’ll know how to find me.”

My stomach twists. “Ella, what are you going to do? What’s so dangerous that you have to run?”

“I can’t tell you everything, not yet.” Her thumb traces my cheekbone. “But I promise—I promise—when you find me, I’ll explain all of it. No more secrets.”

No more secrets. She’s never promised me that before.

“The trials could take weeks,” I say. The words taste like ash. “A month, maybe longer. You’re asking me to just let you disappear and hope I find you on the other side?”

“I’m asking you to trust me.” Her voice cracks. “Can you do that?”

I want to say no, I want to pull her in and refuse to let go. I want to abandon the trials, abandon everything, and follow her into whatever danger she’s walking into tonight. But I know her. I know that look in her eyes. The one that says she’s already made up her mind.

“Marel and Olin,” I repeat. “They’ll know where you are.”

She nods.

“And you’ll be there? When I come for you?”

“I’ll be there.” She presses closer, her voice fierce. “I swear it, Ryewood. I’ll be there.”

I pull her against me. Hold her so tight I can feel her heartbeat against my chest. I memorize the way she fits in my arms, breathing in the smell of her hair.

Please let this not be goodbye. Please.

Chapter 48

Hayesland

Rosie is radiant with her cheeks flushed pink and her smile looser than usual. The stiff posture she wears around nobles has melted away, replaced by something soft and real.

Finn signals for another round, and Rosie protests.

“I’m already fuzzy.” Finn just grins and presses the glass into her hand when the server appears, his fingers lingering over hers.

“One more won’t hurt,” he says, low and teasing.