heir to driftmark.

• You know you don't have to keep checking on me, right? I'm fine. • How are you? Wait, did I ask that already? • I don't know what I'd do without you. I mean that. • Oh, God. I thought something happened to you. Don't scare me like that. • You're not alone in this. You know that, right? • We're family. That's what we do. We show up. • Make yourself at home, okay? This is your place too now. • Get out of here with that. You're not a burden. Don't ever say that again. • Is there anything you need? Food? A blanket? Someone to just sit with you? • So, what's next for us? • I have to admit there's a small part of me that's terrified you'll wake up one day and realize you don't need me anymore... that you'll leave. • It's just... I've never had this before. People who stay. • Why are you still here? I mean, you could go anywhere. Be with anyone. • I know I'm not easy to deal with. But thank you. For staying anyway. • [Name], I don't know what I'm doing half the time, okay? But I know I'm not doing it without you. • I don't really know where else I'd want to be, except right here. • You're the best thing that ever happened to me, you know that? • I really think you saved my life. Not dramatically. Just... by being here. • Hey. Bad dream? Come here. I've got you. • You don't owe me anything. This is what family does • Stop apologizing. You're allowed to need help. • I made your favorite. Thought you could use some comfort food today. • You look exhausted. When's the last time you actually slept? • I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, remember? • We've been through worse. We'll get through this too. • You don't have to be strong all the time. Not with me. • I brought you something. It's stupid, but it made me think of you. • Come on. Let's get you home. • You matter to me. More than you know. • I've got your back. Always have, always will. • You're shaking. Here, take my jacket. • I know you're scared. It's okay to be scared. • You did good today. Really good. • I'm proud of you. I don't say that enough. • Stop pushing me away. I'm not leaving. • You think I'd let you face this alone? Not a chance. • I'll stay up with you. I don't mind. • You're safe here. I promise. • Tell me what you need. Anything. • You don't have to pretend with me. • I trust you. Completely. • You've got this. And if you don't, we've got this. • I'd do anything for you. You know that, right? • You're not too much. You're never too much. • This is your home now. For as long as you want it. • I'll fight for you if you can't fight for yourself right now. • You make me want to be better. A better person. • I chose you. I keep choosing you. Every day. • You're allowed to fall apart. I'll hold the pieces until you're ready.

• You fight like someone who has nothing left to lose. • I didn't free you from that place so you could throw your life away. • The king wants you dead. I'm supposed to be the one to do it. • You're not a prisoner anymore, so why do you still act like one? • I've killed for less than what you just said to me. • You think these pretty clothes make me forget what I am? • I saw you training at dawn. Who taught you to move like that? • The competition starts tomorrow. Try not to die in the first trial. • You're one of the king's assassins. I'm supposed to fear you, not— • I know what you did to earn your freedom. Was it worth it? • You can't save everyone in this castle. Stop trying. • I found blood on your balcony. Whose was it? • The Prince wants to see you. And no, you can't say no. • You've got three kills to my one. Should I be impressed or concerned? • I didn't expect the world's most feared assassin to like books. • You're hiding something. I can always tell when you're lying. • The king's guards are asking questions. What did you do? • I heard you screaming last night. Nightmares again? • You bow to no one, do you? That's going to get you killed. • I'm not your enemy. Though I understand why you'd think otherwise. • You could run. Right now. I'd let you. • You're good with a blade, but you fight angry. That's a weakness. • The princess trusts you. I'm not sure that's wise. • I saw the scars. How long were you there? • You're different than the others. I can't figure out if that's dangerous. • The king's champion shouldn't be afraid of anything. So why do you flinch when he enters the room? • The court thinks you're just a pretty ornament. They have no idea. • I found the letters you've been hiding. Who are you writing to? • You saved my life in that trial. I won't forget it. • The rebellion needs someone like you. Someone ruthless. • You're the first person I've met who isn't afraid of what I can do. • You've been free for months now. When are you going to start acting like it? • I know the king's secret. And now so do you. • You could have anyone in this kingdom. Why do you keep choosing solitude? • The foreign dignitaries are here. Try not to kill any of them. • You're playing a dangerous game with the court. Do you even have a plan? • The captain of the guard is in love with you. You know that, right? • I didn't survive this long by trusting people. But I'm trying to trust you. • You fight like you're still in chains. You're not anymore. • The magical wards around the castle are failing. Something's coming. • You told me you were done killing. So whose body is that?

• I've been raising hell just to get your attention. • You're the only thing I've ever worshipped, and look where it got me. • I can feel it in my bones — something's coming, something big. • Every demon wants his pound of flesh, and I think I'm ready to pay. • Tell me, what does it feel like to be loved gently? • I would've followed you into the dark. I did follow you into the dark. • The saints can't help me now; I've already made my choice. • I've got too much blood on my hands to hold yours. • You keep asking me to be softer, but I was born with a storm in my chest. • I don't pray anymore, except when I'm thinking of you. • What kind of goddess would accept a sacrifice like me? • The violence inside me has a name now — it's yours. • You say you want honesty? I'm a holy fool and a shipwreck all at once. • I can't tell if this is love or just another way to destroy myself. • The birds are circling. That's never a good sign. • I danced with the devil and he gave me your name. • I've been digging my own grave since the day we met. • There's a drumming in my chest, and it's not my heartbeat. • How much of my soul did I sell to have this one night with you? • The water's rising and I'm not sure I want to swim anymore. • You can't save me. I don't even think I want you to try. • I've been screaming your name into the void. Did you hear me? • They say love is patient, but mine has teeth. • I was born in a thunderstorm, and I'll die in one too. • You touched me and I swear I saw god for a second. • I'm not afraid of the fall. I'm afraid of how much I want it. • The hunger in me doesn't have a cure, does it? • Every chain I break just wraps around my throat in a different way. • I would burn the whole world down if it meant keeping you warm. • You say my name like it's a prayer. I say yours like it's a curse. • I'm shaking the bells and calling the hounds — are you coming or not? • There's something ritualistic about the way we ruin each other. • I've been baptized in regret so many times I've lost count. • The violence of the divine — that's what this feels like. • I can't tell where I end and you begin anymore. • You wanted a lover, but I came armed for war. • I've been howling at the moon, hoping you'd hear me from wherever you are. • The ghosts of everyone I used to be are watching us right now. • I need you to understand: I am not delicate. I am not soft. • The reckoning is coming. I can taste it in the air. • You look at me like I'm salvation. I look at you like you're the end. • There's a ceremony in this chaos — can you feel it?

the sea, christine chia

The heir to Driftmark (2025)

“ You’re written into every prophecy I tried to escape. ”

[ CALL. ] SENDER calls RECEIVER over and over until they pick up.

at least one cup of coffee before i'm conversational. preferably two.