Chapter 6: Bruised and Burning
423 Words
Elara woke up warm.
And that was the problem.
Because warmth meant safety. And safety was a lie.
She lay there for a moment, tucked into Kade’s chest, his hand resting on her waist like she belonged there. His heartbeat was steady, strong. So annoyingly calm.
Too calm.
She slid out of bed without waking him, stealing back into her clothes like a thief escaping a dream.
⸻
By the time Kade stirred, the bed was empty.
Again.
He found her sitting outside the cabin, staring into the trees like they might whisper a way out.
He didn’t say anything.
Just sat beside her, silent.
“You regret it,” she said quietly, arms around her knees.
“No,” he replied instantly.
She didn’t look at him. “I do.”
The air between them froze.
Kade exhaled slowly. “That’s fair.”
She flinched. She hadn’t expected that. She expected… anger. A fight. Maybe even begging.
Not this.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she whispered. “It was… it was good. Too good.”
He turned to her. “Then why are you running from it?”
“Because I’m not strong enough for this.”
“Yes, you are.”
“You don’t know me,” she snapped.
Kade stood abruptly, stepping back like her words physically cut him. “You’re right. I don’t. But I see you, Elara. I see what you’re fighting. Every second.”
Her throat tightened.
“I don’t want to be someone you regret touching,” he added, voice hoarse.
“You’re not,” she said, barely audible. “That’s the problem.”
He blinked. “What?”
“You make me feel safe. And I don’t know how to exist in that. Not after Jaxon. Not after what he did.”
Kade’s jaw clenched, pain flickering behind his eyes.
“Then let me be patient,” he said. “Let me earn it. Let me show you that not every bond ends in blood.”
Tears burned her eyes. She wiped them away before they could fall.
“I don’t need saving,” she whispered.
“I don’t want to save you,” he replied, stepping forward again. “I want to walk beside you when you finally save yourself.”
Elara stood quickly, chest heaving. “This… whatever this is… it’s too much. I need space.”
Kade nodded once. “Then take it.”
She turned and disappeared into the trees.
He didn’t follow.
But gods, he wanted to.
- Writer
