Page 54 of Misery

"I didn't think... after what happened, I thought I'd never want anyone to touch me again." My voice is small. "Thought I was too broken for this."

"You're not broken." He turns us so we're facing each other. Makes me look at him. "You're surviving. Healing. That's not broken—that's existing after something horrible. It’s brave."

"I don't feel brave."

"No? You just took control of your sexuality after trauma that would destroy most people. You chose pleasure even though you were afraid. That's brave as fuck, Elfe."

Tears slip free before I can stop them.

He wipes them away softly.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"For?"

"Showing me I could still want this. Still choose. Still feel something besides fear."

He kisses my forehead. My cheeks. My lips. Soft. Sweet. Nothing like the Executioner. Everything like the man beneath the monster.

"You're stronger than you know."

"I'm starting to believe that."

CHAPTER SIX

Oskar

I wake with Elfe pressed against my side, her breath warm against my chest.

No panic.

No regret in the morning light.

Just her hand splayed over my heart like she's claiming me even in sleep.

The room smells like me mixed with her shampoo.

Evidence of last night written in the tangled sheets, in the bruise I sucked into her neck, in the way she's wrapped around me like I might disappear.

I should feel guilty.

She's my protection assignment.

Ivar's daughter.

The girl I've been watching formonthswithout her knowledge.

The weight of that secret sits heavy in my chest, a confession that would destroy everything we're building.

Instead, I feel settled, like pieces clicking into place.

She stirs, those pale eyes opening slowly.

No confusion.

She knows exactly where she is, who she's with.

A small smile plays at her lips—genuine, unguarded in a way I rarely see from her anymore.