EMBER’S POV

“Queenie, are you sure you’re all right with this?” I ask. “Because if you’re not, maybe I can speak to Knox—”

“No.” Her head comes up sharply. “Ember, don’t overcompensate right now.”

I stop.

“Please don’t do that thing where you see someone hurting and immediately start looking for a way to make things better.” She draws in a breath, and I can see how much effort it takes to keep her voice steady. “You cannot save a man like Nathaniel from what he chose to do just because I happen to love him. Or once loved him. Knox shouldn’t bend anything for me, and neither should you....