“What about the inquiry?” I ask, my throat tightening with hope. “If Juliane can’t help anymore, you need me—”
“Cat,” Simon interrupts with gentle firmness. “You’re too close to the magister to be objective. It’s bad enough that I’m… close to you.”
I step up to him. “Are you… close to me?” My bandaged hand settles on his chest again. “Am I forgiven?”
Simon’s mouth quirks to the side, stretching the cut open wider. “Your actions weren’t helpful, but you wanted to protect him.” He leans down until his nose touches mine. “As for being close to you, I thought I made it obvious a couple minutes ago,” he whispers. “I need you more than ever.”
My good arm goes around his neck, and as Simon pulls me against him, I forget my injuries, my weariness, and my fear, focusing instead on the feel of my lips on his.
Will you protect me as you protected him?
“Yes,” I whisper against his mouth. “I will.”
For one minute, nothing else exists in the world.
For one minute everything is perfect.
Then the screaming starts.