“Don’t.” Thea’s voice cracked like a whip. “It’ll be so much harder if you touch me. I won’t be able to do it, what I need to, what’s right. I have to do what’s right, Shepard.” “Thea.” My voice cracked on her name. “If you wrap your arms around me and make me feel safe, leaving will be that much harder, and it’s already going to rip my heart out.” “If you leave, I’m going with you.” The words were out before I could stop them. But the moment they were, I knew they were true. “You can’t,” she whispered. “This is your home.” “You’re my home.”
