Natalia watched me dress with an expression I couldn't quite read. Annoyance battled with concern battled with something that looked almost like pride.
"You're impossible."
"I'm pragmatic."
"You're going to get yourself killed."
"I've survived worse."
"That's not the reassurance you think it is."
I pulled on my shirt and crossed back to the bed. Leaned down. Kissed her deeply. Through the bond, I pushed everything I was feeling: gratitude and desire and the stubborn certainty that I would come back to her no matter what.
She grabbed the front of my shirt and held me there for a long moment.
"If you die tonight," she said against my lips, "I will find a way to resurrect you just so I can kill you myself."
"You've mentioned that threat before."
"I mean it more every time."
"Noted."
I pulled away. Her fingers lingered on my chest before releasing me.
"Take Maki," she said.
"I planned to."
"Keep the bond open."
"Always."
"And Satori?"
