Page 23 of Kael

Bria's door was open a crack. I pushed it open slowly.

She was still asleep, curled on her side, her hand resting on the pillow where I'd slept last night. She looked peaceful. Safe.

I sat in the chair by the window and watched her breathe.

She woke a few minutes later, blinking in the dim light. "Kael?" Her voice was soft. Sleepy.

"I'm here."

She reached out a hand toward me.

I crossed the room and took it.

"Did you talk to them?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said quietly. "I'm okay."

"They don't blame you, do they? I shouldn't have hit her."

"You should have, and it's fine."

She smiled—a small smile that made my chest ache.

"Good," she whispered. "Stay?"

I didn't answer with words.

I just peeled off my clothes and climbed onto the bed beside her, pulled her against my chest, and held her until she fell back asleep

Chapter 14

Bria

I woke up feeling different today. Clearheaded.

I sat up slowly, testing myself. No tremors. No nausea. No feigning.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. The floor was cool beneath my bare feet. I walked to the window and looked out at the mangroves.

I wanted to go outside.

I wanted to feel the sun on my face.

I almost forgot the door was open. After the Lena incident, Kael had allowed me access to the rest of the house under the condition that I didn't try to leave the property. I was fine with that.

I bounced down the stairs, made my way down a long hallway, and walked through the huge living room. Kael's place was a mansion. After a good three-minute walk, I found Kael in the kitchen, right where I knew he’d be. He always brought me breakfast around this time. Rosa didn't arrive until lunch.

He was standing at the counter, pouring coffee into a mug, his back to me. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his forearms. The scratches I'd left on him weeks ago had faded to thin white lines.

He turned when he heard my footsteps.

"Morning," he said, his voice neutral. "You're up early."

"I want to go outside."