I can say no. [ She reminds him. ] You told me a long time ago that if I didn't want any of this, I just had to say so. That you would take me somewhere far away and leave me to my peace.

[ Once upon a time that had been all she wanted. Once she had wanted to take all she loved and run. Disappear. Leave the Darkling and Ravka to someone else. Nikolai may have dragged her back to it, nearly kicking and screaming. But he had never held her to it. He had always promised her he would let her make that choice. ]

I know the choices I make. I know what I'm doing. None of what I do is on you. [ She pressed her forehead against his and closed her eyes. ]

But I'm not alone. And neither are you.