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“Perfect, but then again, you always were.”
“Thank you,” I tell her honestly as I stand.
She watches as I explore the room, taking everything in. It’s intricate and ornate, far nicer than anything we had as children. There’s a balcony beyond, but I stay far away, not wanting to make her nervous. That trauma won’t disappear anytime soon.
The bed calls to me. It’s giant and looks soft, and I can’t resist.
I flop back onto the luxurious bed, eager to feel the softness, and I’m not surprised when Cora lies next to me. Our hands find each other’s over the quilt and clasp as we stare at the ceiling, the soft breeze from the open doorway fluttering around us.
“I thought I’d lost you forever,” she admits. “It felt like I’d lost a piece of my soul.”
I turn my head to meet her tear-filled eyes, sad that those tears are because of me.
“I know you felt like you had no way out. I’m not angry, Kai. I just . . . I missed you so much. Every day, I wanted to find you to tell you something. I’d wake every morning and for a moment, I’d forget you were gone, and then the pain would rush back.”
“Cora, I’m sorry,” I rasp.
Squeezing my hand, she moves closer. “It’s in the past now. You’re back. That’s all that matters, and we are together again.”
“Like old times,” I tease, making her laugh, the sound more familiar than my own voice, and another piece of me heals.
How many nights did we lie like this together on that dirty, hard floor? She must be thinking the same thing because she smiles softly.
“A bit of a better bed though.” She giggles.
“A bit.” I grin, turning to my side to see her better.
She has grown up well, becoming beautiful, regal, kind, and strong, but then again, I always knew she would. Cora was always destined for great things. It was in her soul. I knew it from the moment she came into this world, stern-faced and prepared, not screaming like normal babies.
“Are you happy?” I ask her.
She blinks and searches my gaze before her smile grows. “More than I’ve ever been.”
“Good, that’s good.”
“Are you?” she asks after a pregnant pause.
“I am,” I admit. “It’s been hard, and some days are worse than others, but when I think about it, I’m truly happy to be alive and with my monsters.”
She wiggles her eyebrows. “Your monsters, eh?”
“You’re one to speak.” I laugh, pushing her away.
“I have many holes. What can I say?”
“Cora!” I shout, kicking her away as she laughs.
“What? Don’t tell me you haven’t tried sharing.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “There was this one time—”
“Stop!” I cover my ears, even as I laugh.
“Okay, okay.” She pulls my hands away as she collapses against me, grinning. I hold her tighter, unable to stop a giggle from escaping my lips.
“I like your hair, by the way. It’s badass,” she says as she props her head on my arm and looks at me.
“Thanks.” I look down at her dress. “I like your dress and crown.”
“I don’t. I’d rather be in pants.” She winks just as a knock comes at the door.
