Natalie~
I watched Sebastian cradle Cassandra in his arms like she was the most delicate thing in the world, even though just five minutes ago, she'd tried to shove a stake through his heart.
Cassandra looked... peaceful now. Her body limp. Breathing shallow but steady. Her head rested on Sebastian's chest, his hand brushing her tangled dark hair away from her face like a man trying to remember who she used to be.
And mother, my heart ached for him.
I took a step closer, keeping my voice gentle. "Sebastian…"
"I know," he muttered, eyes locked on her face. "I should hate her. I really should. But I can't."
Behind me, Jacob huffed and dusted off his hands like he'd just cleaned a cluttered attic rather than deactivated a cursed assassin.
"You're so whipped, there's no helping you out of that," he said, his tone drier than sandpaper.
I shot him a look. "Jacob, maybe cool the sass for five minutes? Guy's clearly going through a lot."
