After I finished, I looked up at the huge, gentle man behind me.
Kael’s chest heaved. I could hear the sound of him grinding his teeth. But when he spoke, his voice was raspy from holding back his rage, yet it carried a rock-solid strength.
"Listen to me, Elara." He turned me around. The water in the tub rippled. We were naked, chest to chest, but his gaze was clear and steady, looking straight into my soul.
"Your past isn't mine to carry. It belongs to you and the people who hurt you. I have no right to judge you, and I will never look down on you. Not even for a second." His thumb gently brushed away the dried tear tracks on my face. "You lived through a living hell that most people can't even imagine, but you survived. You fought back. You tried to run. You battled against the odds.
