I pulled away after that.
I became distant, sharp-edged, cruel when I needed to be. I told myself it was kindness.
Cassian didn't understand.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.
"Yes," I almost said. You loved me.
Instead, I shook my head. "You're getting too close."
He stepped closer anyway.
"I'm not afraid," he said quietly. "Even if I should be."
Tears burned my eyes.
"You don't know what love costs me," I whispered.
"Then let me choose," he said.
And that was when I realized the curse wasn't just killing men.
It was teaching me how to survive without love.