He breathed once. Shallow.
“What does it mean?” I whispered.
He looked down.
“This is where they vowed me to silence.”
I swallowed.
“And this?” I asked, my fingertip grazing one mark below his ribs.
He didn’t speak.
Just met my gaze.
Then said, “This is where I answered.”
The air between us cracked.
Not with sound.
With knowing.
I leaned forward.
Pressed my lips to the first mark.
Not a kiss.
A benediction.
His breath caught.
My mouth moved to the next.
And the next.
I didn’t know what I was doing.
Only that it felt right.
Like I was claiming him in the same way he had just claimed me.
When I reached the broken circle at his throat, I paused.
He tilted his chin up.
Offered it.
My lips brushed the center.
And I whispered,
“Let me vow it too.”
His eyes snapped open.
Dark.
