A soft light shone through the curtains as Eiden slowly emerged from his sleep. His vision cleared, and he suddenly realized that a figure was sitting very close to him... with his head leaning against his bed.
Kira.
She was sleeping soundly, her face marked by accumulated worry.
Eiden sat up slowly, surprised, and the mattress moved enough to wake Kira. She fluttered her eyes before meeting his gaze.
—Eiden…! she exclaimed, stunned. Then a radiant smile lit up his face.
Without thinking, she jumped up and hugged him.
— You're awake... I'm so happy you're okay...
Eiden grimaced a little.
- Ouch... my wound... he whispered.
Kira immediately stepped back.
- Oh ! Sorry… I'm sorry… I was so scared for you…
Eiden attempted a smile.
—Where... where are we?
"At home," she replied softly.
She then added:
— Bryan and Alix had urgent matters to attend to. Naëlys returned home. Asher and Miria have gone to Asher's house... and Ikan is with them to distract themselves.
Eiden nodded.
—I see...
He inhaled.
—Listen, if you have things to do… you can go. I'm better. Before long my injuries will be healed and I will be operational again.
He tried to smile...but it sounded fake.
Kira nodded and headed towards the door. But when she got a few steps away, she stopped. His breath shook. She turned around and came back to him, her eyes shining.
—Eiden…
She swallowed.
"I know… you're mad at me.
Eiden looked away slightly.
— Kira…
"Let me talk, please," she whispered, tears starting to well up.
—I…I hate myself. I behaved badly towards you. And the reason…
She breathed hard.
"It's because you raped me. You took me my first time without my consent.
Eiden clenched his fists, hurt to the core.
"I know… you have nothing to do with it," she continued in a broken voice. It's Morena... the culprit. But despite that... it was you who... who did it. And it tore me apart.
She was crying now.
Eiden closed his eyes, unable to bear his pain.
— But despite everything... despite my words, despite my actions...
She placed a trembling hand over her heart.
— In reality... I always wanted to hear you... see you... talk to you... because...
She raised her eyes, flooded with tears.
— Because I love you.
Eiden stared at her, shocked... but a burning hope lit his eyes.
Kira continued, her voice breaking the air.
—I have always loved you. Even before Morena trapped us. But... it killed me to know that the man I love... is the man who hurt me.
— My head refused to forgive. But my heart...
She placed a hand on his chest.
— My heart had already forgiven you everything. Because I can't hate the man I love.
She sniffed, shaken by emotion.
"I… I hurt us so much and…
She didn't have time to finish.
Eiden kissed him.
A deep, desperate kiss, loaded with years of pain and suppressed feelings. Kira stood frozen for a second, then her hands moved up to his face and she kissed him back.
They finally broke apart, panting, forehead to forehead.
- I thought you hated me... whispered Kira.
Eiden gave a gentle smile.
—How could I hate the woman I love? I never stopped loving you… ever. I just hated myself for what I did to you. I was a bastard...a fool...a—
Kira put a finger to her lips.
— Don't ever say that again. You are none of that. The only monster here... is Morena. Not you. So stop punishing yourself...otherwise you'll only make me feel even more guilty.
"Kira…" he whispered in a voice full of desire.
"Eiden…" she replied, the same desire vibrating in her voice.
Their lips met in a second kiss, more tender, deeper... more liberating.