Page 110 of Monsters Carve Thrones

I nodded, even though it didn’t feel like it yet. “I want to see her.”

“I was actually just about to go get her for breakfast,” Laura interjected with a smile. “I’ll be back.”

I watched her leave the room, then returned to look up at Rafe.God, those eyes.That violent, arctic blue. I’d forgotten how beautiful they were and how safe they made me feel.

The others were quiet. There was an awkward tension in the air, like everyone wanted to ask me questions but didn’t know how. I didn’t blame them.

I wasn’t really myself yet.

A knock came at the door just as I was cutting into the pancakes, and Rafe went to open it. The moment I saw her, my chest cracked wide open.

“Olesya,” I breathed. She dropped the bag in her arms and rushed across the room. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly. Her frame was small, but her hug was fierce. Her hands fisted the back of my shirt, and mine did the same.

“You’re okay,” she whispered in Russian-accented English. “You’re okay. Thank God.”

Tears burned my eyes again. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” I whispered. “You made it out.”

“Yougot us out, girl,” she said, pulling back to look me in the eyes. “Youdid this.”

I couldn’t speak. My throat closed too tightly. I just nodded, eyes shimmering, and she smiled.

Rafe stepped behind me and gently rubbed my back. “Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s eat.”

We all sat around the small table–me, Rafe, Laura, Kieran, Nico, and Olesya. A strange family stitched together by blood and some kind of fate. There was a peace to it I hadn’t expected.

Nico passed out plates and poured coffee. Kieran added more pancakes to the center of the table. Olesya gave a little laugh when she saw how many there were.

“I haven’t had pancakes inyears,” she said. A part of my heart cracked at that. This poor woman had likely been under Waylon’s control for years. I hadn’t ever really asked…

“Then you’re in for a treat,” Nico grinned.

Rafe sat beside me, and I nearly cried when he smiled. Still, I whispered, “I’m sorry if I… scared you last night.”

Laura piped in immediately, her voice firm. “You don’t apologize for surviving.”

I nodded. The moment felt like something fragile I didn’t want to shatter. So I sat down at the table with my plate, surrounded by the people who had come for me. Who had killed for me. Who had helped me claw my way out of hell. And I knew that no matter how long it took, I’d find my way back to myself. Because I wasn’t alone.

Chapter 20

ADELA

It had been just over two weeks since we came home. The townhouse was quiet this morning, sunlight spilling across the hardwood floors, reminding me of the peace that comes with a safe home. Like I hadn’t bled and fought and screamed for my life across an ocean. Like I wasn’t still putting myself back together one cracked piece at a time.

I stood in front of the bedroom window, coffee in hand, wearing one of Rafe’s shirts that swallowed me whole. My body still felt sore some days, but I was healing. Slowly.

Sex hadn’t happened yet. Not since we got back.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want him. Some nights, Iachedfor him. I missed the feel of him pressed against me, the weight of his body, the way he kissed like he owned every part of me. Or how his rough hands skimmed along my body, and those icy eyes looked up at me while his lips trailed down my stomach.

But I also needed space to feel safe in my own skin again. Time to reclaim it on my own terms. And Rafe… he never once pushed. He touched me softly. Held me every night. Kissed my forehead, my knuckles, my temple. He loved me in such a beautiful and gentle way. Something... I didn’t realize was entirely possible for a man like him. He slept beside me, guarding me. And not once did he act like he was owed more.

I loved him more for that than anything else.

He came out of his office just then, shirtless as usual, hair tousled from the shower. The bandages were gone now. His shoulder had healed into a tight, pink scar that stretched across his muscle. His eyes found me immediately.

“You slept in,” he murmured with a small smile.

“I needed it.”