Page 312 of Black Reign

She wipes beneath one eye.

Then she looks at me.

Really looks.

The laughter leaves.

Her voice becomes soft.

“Why?”

I know what she's asking.

Not legal status.

Not Blackwell.

Why me?

I could lie.

Give her the clean strategic answer.

Instead I walk toward her.

Stop close.

Take one loose caramel curl between my fingers.

Her breathing changes.

Mine does too.

“You really want that answer?”

“Yes.”

Not yet.

Not when she's standing barefoot in my shirt after one of the worst nights of her life.

But soon.

My thumb brushes her cheek.

“For now, let's say my father made the mistake of telling me I couldn't have something.”

Her eyes narrow.

“That sounds much more like you.”

“Thought you'd appreciate it.”

“And later?”

I look into those impossible blue eyes.

“Later I'll give you the answer that scares me.”