Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
"It's just some mud," Lana protested, but Ciaran was already leading her away.
"If it gets infected and you lose limbs, then what?" he reasoned with her.
As they walked down the hall, I heard Lana ask who the one was being dramatic.
Ky took my hand and led me towards the stairs, beckoning for me to follow him. I hesitated, not wanting to leave Mel behind, but she gave me a reassuring smile before turning to Brody and asking for his assistance. I got it then. It was about her wound and she didn’t want me to see it. I could’ve pushed the issue, but I’d never disrespect her boundaries. Too many people have done that already.
Ky took me down another hallway, pushing open two doors before we found a bedroom. He locked the door behind us and guided me into a bathroom that was sleek and modern with dark tiles, a glass-enclosed shower, and a large mirror above the sink that showed a girl. She was familiar, yet different in every way. Her eyes held a trace of sadness and pain.
This place was not where she belonged. I couldn't help but worry about what would become of her once we left. Where could we go? Our family was a lie, our home was no longer a place we would ever feel welcome. We used to love the beach, but now I wasn't sure if it would ever hold the same meaning for us. It felt like two souls were inhabiting one body; hers bearing the weight of all that had been taken from her, and mine trying to deal with the aftermath.
Ky's body pressed against mine from behind, his hands caging me in against the sink. He leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear. "All that pretty torment," he murmured, "Let me take it from you."
I meet his unrelenting gaze in the mirror. It's like he could see into my very soul, ripping apart my fragile defenses with a single look.
"It's not yours to carry.”
"Everything you have is mine, Sunshine." He reached out and turned on the tap. "And if you won't willingly give it, I'll just take it like I do everything else."
He washed his hands and then stepped back and crouched, opening the cabinet and sorting through it. When he stood back up there was a metal first aid kit in his hand.
“Turn for me.”
I did as he said, silently observing as he delicately grasped my injured hand, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone with a rough exterior. He carefully cleaned the cut, his fingers caressing my skin. The antiseptic slightly stung, but it was a good kind of sting that had me rolling my lower lip between my teeth. Ky noticed my reaction and his gaze flicked up before returning to the task at hand.
“Did the pain feel similar when you cut your hand?”
I nodded, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I wished I could deny the reality of what was happening to me.
He paused; his eyes full of understanding. “There’s no reason to be ashamed, not ever. Especially not with me.”
I smiled gratefully at him. He always knew how to comfort me. “You have a way with words.”
“Only the ones that are yours.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s something you’ve forgotten.” He casually tossed the small cotton pad onto the sink and gazed down at me.
“Something you're purposely not telling me?" I prodded.
"It's not as straightforward as that. You have to remember. That's the only way it will hold any significance."
“And if I can’t?” I asked quietly.
“Then I'll repeat the process until it's ingrained in your mind forever."
Not knowing what to say, I simply nodded in response. It was evident that while Kyrous Vetis may not have experienced emotions the same way as others, he still felt deeply. Perhaps even too deeply. Despite the rumors surrounding him, all I knew was that he was here with me now, offering to ease my pain and be everything I never knew I needed. Any demons he carried were a part of who he was and accepting him meant embracing all of him.
Looking back, I couldn't believe I ever doubted if he was my type because now, I couldn't imagine anyone else taking his place in my life. I resented the fact that someone had taken away moments from us, leaving memories that only he could recall. He turned away and grabbed two toothbrushes still wrapped in plastic, as well as a small bottle of mouthwash.
In silence, I brushed my teeth, feeling slightly more human afterward. Finishing before me, he stepped back and observed as I finished brushing.
"Now remove your clothing," he ordered as soon as I was done.
I sat the toothbrush down and scowled at him. "You could ask with a little more kindness."
"I'm not known for being kind."
"You have the heart of a sweetheart that has been twisted."