It was pieces of me.
It’s just my body.
It’s just my body.
I closed my eyes and peeled off my shirt. My shoes. My pants. The tears came hot and silent, running down my cheeks even as I stood in just my underwear.
His breath hitched like a man seeing God.
“Everything, Elira,” he whispered, voice trembling with hunger.
I stepped out of the last of it.
Naked. Cold. Shaking. The only thing left on was the amulet, weighted on a string around my neck.
It’s just my body.
It’s just my body.
He reached for me. His hands slid down my sides, fingers ice-cold and reverent.
Then his grip tightened on my jaw, and he kissed me.
I turned my face away.
“You are stunning,” he murmured.
My skin crawled like it had turned inside out.
But I had a reprieve. He stepped back.
“Wear the clothes I’ve laid out for you,” he whispered. “All of them. You’ll join me for dinner.”
He reached for me again—like he wanted to devour me—but stopped himself.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said, and left.
Thorne still lay on the ground, unmoving. His gaze found mine. For a moment, just a breath, I thought I saw him.Reallysaw him.
I stumbled to the bed, hands shaking, and dressed as fast as I could.
Only then did I fall—knees crashing to the floor as the silks pooled around me in a heavy, suffocating heap.
The sobs came next—deep, wrenching, soundless. Terror clawed its way out of my chest. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. I was shaking so hard it felt like my bones would splinter.
Thorne stood—slowly. Carefully.
He crossed the room without a word and knelt beside me.
Gently, he lifted one of the dresses and draped it over my shoulders.
I clutched it tight, fingers buried in the fabric like it could shield me from everything.
Still, I said nothing.
And neither did he.
Chapter 36
