Zarek took another step back.
"Go," he said.
Eliora stared at him. "Go… now?"
"Yes." His jaw tightened. "Now."
She didn't move right away. Her fingers curled at her sides. "Are you sure?" she asked. "Because five minutes ago you were saying..."
"Eliora." He cut her off. Her name sounded heavier in that deeper voice. "Don't do this."
She swallowed. "You're sending me away because it's easier."
His eyes flashed again. "I'm sending you away because you're not ready."
"That's not fair..."
"It is," he snapped, then caught himself. He dragged in a breath. "You're angry. You're hurt. You don't trust me and you have every right to feel that way."
He looked at her like it cost him something. "But don't stand here and pretend you're ready to complete the bond when you're not."
Her chest tightened. "So you decide that for me?"
"No," he said. "You already decided. With every step you take away from me."
Silence stretched between them.
