Chapter <b>81 </b>


    ATASHA’S POV


    The brutality I had braced myself for never came. Instead, Cassian sat at the far end of the cave, his back resting against the stone wall, silent as he watched me prepare some food for us.


    I worked with what little I had. Earlier, I had gathered dry wood from the <b>cave </b>entrance. Now, I struck two des together until sparks caught. Soon, mes licked at the logs. The warmth spread slowly, pushing back the chill that clung to my skin.


    Cassian’s eyes were closed, but I knew he wasn’t asleep. His posture was too controlled, his breathing too steady. He was listening, watching, even if he didn’t move.


    I pulled the beast’s meat away from the bone, my dagger slicing through with effort. Normally, this kind of flesh was too toxic to eat. But I pressed my hand over it, forcing my ability through until the foul taint lifted. The veins of poison bled out like smoke under my touch, leaving the meat clean. Relief loosened my shoulders as I skewered it and set it over the fire.


    The smell wasn’t pleasant. Without salt, herbs, or anything else to mask it, it was sharp and metallic. But food was food. At least it wouldn’t kill us.


    While the meat cooked, my gaze kept drifting toward him.


    At some point, he had cleaned himself. The streaks of dark blood that had coated him earlier were gone, his clothes free of the stains I had seen only moments ago. His skin looked untouched, almost ordinary.


    Anyone looking from the outside would never believe he had ripped a monster apart with his bare hands. He sat at the far end of the cave, his posture rxed, as though the fight outside hadn’t happened at all.


    Then his eyes opened.


    They glowed red, locking directly onto me.


    I froze. My feet almost tangled as I stepped back, my throat closing up for a moment before I forced myself to speak. Clearing my voice, I raised the skewers in both hands. “The food’s ready,” I said, my words stiffer than I meant them to be. “You should eat first.”


    He didn’t answer.


    I shifted, uneasy. “It’s not poisonous. I… I removed it.”


    For a moment, the fire popped, filling the silence. Finally, he spoke. “Come.”


    I hesitated but then nodded. By now, I understood one thing, if he wanted me dead, I wouldn’t still be breathing. So I stood, gathered the skewers, and walked toward him.


    I held one out.


    Instead of reaching for the skewer, his hand shot out and closed around my wrist. The grip was strong, his strength pressing straight through bone and skin. I flinched, unable to hide the reaction, my pulse jumping in an instant.


    He didn’t nce at the food. His eyes stayed fixed on mine, even as he leaned forward. His mouth closed around the meat, tearing into it while his hand kept me locked in ce. The heat of his breath brushed my skin, close enough that every muscle in my body went stiff.


    I couldn’t move as the skewer tilted awkwardly in my other hand, forgotten, while he chewed only inches away. My chest tightened. My heartbeat mmed so hard against my ribs it felt like it might break through.


    Then, just as sudden as he had grabbed me, he tugged.


    I wasn’t ready for it. My bnce slipped, and the next thing I knew, I was pulled straight onto hisp.


    1 stilled instantly, breath caught in my chest. His body was solid beneath me, his framerge enough to swallow my own. His arm stayed hooked around my waist, keeping me from pulling away.


    He reached past me and took the second skewer from my hand. For a moment, I thought he would eat it himself. Instead, he turned it toward me, holding it close to my mouth.


    My eyes widened. Was he… trying to feed me? The thought alone made my throat tighten. I wanted to ask, to <b>say </b>something. but no words came out.


    When I didn’t move, his voice cut through the silence. “Open.”


    Themand left no room to argue. My hand trembled where it rested against his arm. Slowly, I parted my lips, and he pushed the meat forward.


    The taste hit me at once. I expected nd, bitter flesh, but instead, it burned faintly on my tongue. Not salty, not nd, but sharp, almost spicy. My surprise must have shown, because before I could stop myself, I chewed and swallowed, then leaned forward to take another bite.


    He watched me closely the entire time.


    By the time I swallowed the second piece, he pulled back the skewer and pressed it into my hand. “Eat,” he said simply.


    I nodded, uncertain what else to do, and took it. The heat of his body still pressed into me as I shifted slightly in hisp, finishing the meat bit by bit. My thoughts spun with every bite. Should I stand up? Should I stay here? Was it safer not to move at all? The dagger was still within reach, but even I knew I wouldn’t be fast enough if he decided otherwise.


    When thest piece of meat was gone, I cleared my throat, unsure if I should even speak. “Do you… want more?” The words came out careful, almost hesitant.


    He didn’t answer. His eyes stayed locked on me.


    I took the silence as a yes. Shifting the empty skewer aside, I braced a hand against his shoulder and began to push myself up. My legs were unsteady, but I managed to lift partway before his arm moved.


    It slid tight around my waist and yanked me back down.


    The sudden pull forced a sharp breath from my chest. My back hit the solid wall of his body, his arm locking me in ce across my middle. I tried to shift, but the grip left no room for any of it. He wasn’t squeezing hard enough to hurt, but there was no mistaking the strength behind it. If he chose not to let go, I wouldn’t be able to break free.


    My heartbeat spiked all over again, each thud heavy enough that I swore he could feel it. My muscles went rigid, but I didn’t dare struggle. His body radiated heat through my cloak, pinning me against him until I barely remembered how to breathe.


    I couldn’t tell what unsettled me more, knowing he could crush me in an instant, or the way the air between <b>us </b>seemed to tighten, charged with something I didn’t understand but couldn’t ignore.


    Then suddenly, he opened his mouth and said… “Stay.”