I watched her for a long time. I had taken up position in the plush armchair by the fire and it had given me a direct view of the door and the bed. She lay under the covers surrounded by her halo of black hair. Her skin was as pale as the sheets, and she shifted restlessly while she slept.
Something brushed my leg and I looked down in surprise to see a silky black cat by my legs.
“How did you get in here?” I asked.
The cat didn’t reply of course. I brushed my hands along the silky soft fur. I would never admit it to Leo but I liked cats. They were my favourite animal.
The fact that there was one in the room with us worried me though. I stood to check the windows were closed and the door was locked.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it. That little guy keeps appearing and disappearing on a regular basis.” Elira said from the bed, her voice tired.
“This isn’t a regular cat.” I guessed.
I heard her chuckle. “I don’t think so, no.” She sat up on the bed and I saw the covers fall around her waist. She was in a simple oversized shirt, one that looked similar to one Leo wore.
She caught the look and laughed softly. “Oh, this?” She tugged the hem a little. “Leo dropped it off and asked me to sleep in it.Said it’d be more comfortable than the gowns.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s kind of weird.”
I snorted, amused despite myself.Typical lion.He wanted her scent on it—claiming her in the only way he could.
“Yeah,” I muttered, settling back into the chair. “Weird.”
After a short silence, I spoke again “You still having trouble sleeping?”
She sighed and rubbed her face. “Always.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I guess I am not as used to sleeping alone, you know? Finn and I used to always curl together for warmth on the streets. And in this bed? The space just seems extra big where he should be.”
“You miss him.”
“Every day. All the time.” Her fingers twisted in the sheets.
“He wasn’t the one who hurt you?” I asked, carefully. I already knew the answer—but I needed her to say it.
Her eyes cut to me, sharp and sudden. “Gods, no. Finn would never hurt me. He never even raised his voice.”
I nodded, jaw tight. “Then who?”
“Slade.”
“Who?” I asked again, slower this time. No edge, but no softness either.
She sighed, then narrowed her eyes slightly. “If we’re going to have this conversation, could you come sit over here? I’m tired of yelling across the room.”
I hesitated. Still, I stood, walked over, and paused beside the bed.
She patted the mattress next to her, a tired smirk tugging at her lips. “Right here, grumpy bear.”
The nickname shouldn't have landed the way it did—but it did.
I sat down, careful not to crowd her, but close enough that I could feel the warmth of her beside me.
“Talk or listen?” I asked.
Her smile faded. “Both,” she said.
I leaned back into the soft mountain of pillows while she stayed upright beside me, fidgeting with the edge of the sheet like it could anchor her.
