Page 85 of Fractured Memories

“He might have gotten hurt.” I shake my head, crossing my arms. “I’m thankful he wasn’t there. Barely anything happened to me.”

“You lost all your memories.” Anguish flashes in those ice blue irises. “They tried to take away who you are.”

“And they failed. But if I lose you because of what happened, then you’re letting them succeed.”

He swallows hard, but this time, he doesn’t look away. “How can I look at you and not remember what I did? How can I act like nothing has changed when everything has? I saw it destroy Kieran, Mika⁠—”

I surprise both of us by wrapping my arms around his middle. He’s nearly as tall as Kieran, and even though I’m not short by any means, I only come up to his chin. The hold is purely platonic, but I couldn’t see how much it was weighing on him and not try to ease it.

Squeezing, I tell him, “It was a terrible thing that happened to all of us. But I don’t blame you. I don’t want you to, either.”

He sighs as he pats my back. “That’s a tall ask.”

“What if I collect it as my winnings?” I pull back, smirking. “Do I get those in a friendly match?”

That earns me a huff of a laugh. “I guess you can.” His expression softens, and I know it will take him more time to let go of what happened. But I hope that knowing I don’t blame him helps.

CHAPTER 28

KIERAN

Eden’s lips part, stealing the bite off my fork. She hums softly as she leans back, and I stare down at my beautiful wife, trying to hold myself together long enough to get through dinner. But in the green bikini she’s wearing, highlighting her toned figure and beautiful curves? It’s really damn hard. Though I’ve caught her gaze raking over my shirtless torso enough times to know I’m not alone in that.

“I can sit on my own chair,” she teases, and my arm tightens around her waist. I know she doesn’t want to be anywhere else but in my lap, even if she protests.

“Why would you do that when you fit so perfectly here?”

Her curls tickle my cheek as she leans her head back on my shoulder. “Good point.”

I shift so I can reach my plate while asking, “How was training with Jude?”

In the last two weeks, Eden has been going to the training grounds in the morning with Jude. She’s been relearning everyone’s names, the schedules, and participating in the sessions. He’s also been helping her get back into her fitness routine, improving her stamina. In the afternoons, Mika steals her away—which I complain about frequently but only because I know Eden enjoys riling me up.

It has given me time to tend to the responsibilities I’ve been ignoring. For the most part, the city is running as it should. Lochlan has even been working with Miles on the clinics, which has eased any restlessness among the citizens. Coupled with the guards getting more rest and the lack of rebel activity, most of our problems have disappeared.

I still haven’t found that arsehole Parker and made him pay for what he did to Eden. But I’m willing to make his capture as slow and drawn out as his torture will be.

“I didn’t have to ask him anyone’s name today. And I taught Milo how to break out of a hold that’s been his weakness.” She doesn’t even hide the pride in her voice. “It was a good day.”

Every day seems to be a good day, now. Eden has settled back into her life, and the confidence it has given her shows. She’s happy here again—with me.

It doesn’t matter if she doesn't remember everything anymore. She shares my bed, calls me her husband, and begs me to fuck her. My life is exactly as it should be.

Her hand slides up my neck, scratching along the short scruff there. “Larkin came by, too.”

I brush my lips over her temple. “Did you challenge him?” Eden has a personal mission of getting every single person on the mat.

“I did.” Her tone is softer than I expected. “He mentioned seeing us at the cages a few weeks ago. He said it was just like old times.”

I hum in agreement, curious where her mind is. Her fingers keep moving along my skin, and I know Eden well enough to understand she’s thinking through this question. I can see it on the tip of her tongue.

She twists in my hold to look at me, decision made. “I don’t like that there are moments that I have to pretend to remember.”

I brush back a piece of her hair, ignoring the pain that aches through my chest. There’s nothing I can offer her. No one knows what happened to her, and I can’t give her the memories back. Even if I wish I could.

“I want you to tell me everything.”

My brows pinch together at that. “What?”