Avery's POV
It took something from me to say those words. Every breath. Every shred of strength. Every principle I had ever sworn to live by.
I could still feel the moment in my bones. The cold edge of Lucian’s sword at Lena’s throat, the thin line of blood forming beneath the steel, the terrible realization that he would not hesitate if I had remained silent.
I did not know if what I had said back there was the right thing to do or if I had even meant it.
But I said it.
I said it to save Lena.
The words still echoed in my head, heavy and irreversible.
I will be in your bed tonight.
Even now, I could not believe they had come from my own mouth.
What had I done?
My stomach twisted at the thought of what awaited me. I had spoken in desperation, driven by the need to stop the sword
