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He didn’t bother to respond

“Or maybe you can” I sank down the wall to sit next to hier

He stared at the door in front of us as if he could soh the wood and steel that separated the space

“You know Olivia is in there with her,” I said softly

“She’s not speaking” His voice carater

“She will”

“You don’t know that” He shook his head “All because I didn’t sit right here the night she decided to sneak out with Jocelyn” There was no malice in his tone when it ca itself onHe believed every word of it “Where is your little witch, anyway? I didn’t see her at repast”

“She left” The words barely sounded like one”

“Gone?” His brow furrowed, but he kept his focus on Avianna’s door

“As in doesn’t-want- my knees up So in two, as if taking blow after physical blow I liftedto ease an ache that had no physical source

“Who gives a shit about love?” Hawke glanced et her”

“I’m not about to force the woo fetch her from witch territory if she doesn’t want me It would be an act of war and break the Covenant If she doesn’t wantI can do about it”

He rolled his eyes “She wants you Trust me Anyone can see the way she looks at you and it’s not exactly like you two are…” His nose twitched, “quiet with your activities”

Fuck, the thought of never touching her again, never catching the scent of her skin or feeling the silky strands of her hair wrap around ht there My chest screa in my ribs and sternum

“What’s wrong?” Hawke asked

“I…” I shookpain that held my heart like a vise It was as if the bond between Jocelyn and I was being cut through—severed “She wouldn't,” I whispered

Or would she? Would the heiress to the throne of the witches ically sever our bond? Would she free herself in order to take the throne, ora consort?