I want her to choose me. Not because of some magical compulsion, but because she wants to. Because she trusts me enough to let me heal the wounds Andrew left behind.

“I won’t tell her,” I say finally. “But not to protect myself.”

Both my friends look at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“She doesn’t trust anyone right now. If I tell her about the bond, she’ll think it’s just another way someone is trying to control her.” I brush a strand of hair from Astra’s face, being careful not to wake her. “She needs to know she has a choice.”

“Even if that choice is to leave you?”...