Page 326 of Black Reign

Sabine looks back at me.

“Xavier.”

I suddenly understand something astonishing.

I'm nervous.

Not Blackwell nervous.

Not operational.

Not threat analysis.

A completely useless human version.

“We still have the mairie first.”

Her mouth opens.

I continue before she can.

“My attorneys recovered your French civil registration. Temporary travel documents are already handled. The local office has the paperwork. Witnesses are arranged.”

She is still staring.

“And then?”

I glance toward the field.

“Then whatever part matters to us happens here.”

Her eyes fill again.

I reach for her.

This time she comes immediately.

Her arms circle my waist.

My chin rests against her hair.

For several seconds, neither of us speaks.

Then, muffled against my shirt:

“It's simple.”

“Yes.”

“It's perfect.”

I close my eyes.

That word does more damage than it should.

Perfect.

I press my mouth to her hair.