Then I said, quietly, “Then don’t.”
She blinked.
“Don’t try to be different,” I said. “Don’t force yourself to feel what you’re not ready to. Just… let me be here. Let us be here. However you are.”
A long silence stretched between us.
“I don’t know how to let anyone do that,” she whispered.
“I know,” I said. “So let me show you.”
“And what if I can’t?” She whispered. “What if there is something in me that … can’t be fixed.”
“You don’t need to be fixed, Elle. You need to grieve. You need to be seen. And maybe you’re not ready for that either. But I am. I see you, Elle. I always have.”
Her mouth parted slightly, like she wanted to argue—maybe even scream.
But she didn’t. She looked at me, those beautiful blue eyes full of turmoil.
But also something else.Recognition.
Like maybe… maybe I’d reached her.
Not enough to fix anything. Not yet.
But enough to keep her standing.
She bit her lip, then reached down and gripped the end of a wooden sword.
Without looking at me, she held it out—handle first.
A quiet invitation.
“Feel like sparring?” she asked, voice rough but steady.
I smiled, warmth curling in my chest like fire catching kindling.
“Yeah,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
Chapter 9
Elira
I walked up to my room with Leo behind me. When I reached the door, I saw Slade waiting beside it.
I sighed.
“I’ll be in soon,” Leo said, touching my back. “Just going to shower.”
I nodded once, eyes still on Slade.
He didn’t move as I approached.
“You ran off,” he said. His voice was flat—careful.
“I did,” I replied, stepping past him and into the room.
He followed without needing permission.
