19. Laia

19

LAIA

I scrub the pots with vigor, the smell of herbs and cooked meat still lingering in the air. My hands move on their own; the motions are familiar now, almost comforting. But my mind? It's far from the lair and these chores.

Safety. The word drifts through my thoughts, strange and foreign.

I glance up, catching a glimpse of Irix sharpening his axe. His golden eyes flick to mine for a moment, and he offers a wolfish grin before returning to his task. Wild intensity—that's Irix. Dangerous but fiercely protective.

Kael hums softly as he sorts through his healing herbs nearby. His presence is a balm, his quiet strength a constant reassurance. I think of the waterfall and the way he held me with such tenderness. It’s more than just physical attraction; it’s... something deeper. Trust, maybe.

Thalos stands at the edge of the lair, arms crossed, eyes scanning the horizon. Even in his coldness, there's a certain security. He might be hard on me, but he's never let harm come my way since I've been here. His protection feels like an iron wall—impenetrable and unyielding.

I watch them from the corner of my eye as I finish scrubbing the last pot. They move like a unit, each brother understanding their role without needing words. It’s a far cry from the chaos and terror of Eryndor’s estate.

Could this be my life now? Could these brutal minotaurs be my family? The thought warms me in a way I haven't felt in years.

I place the pot down and stretch my back, feeling every muscle ache from both work and training. Kael looks up from his herbs and offers me a soft smile.

"Need any help?" he asks.

"I’m fine," I reply, though part of me wants to sit beside him and lose myself in his calm presence.

"Suit yourself," he says with a wink before returning to his work.

I can’t help but smile back as I move to tidy up around the lair. It’s strange—this sense of belonging that’s starting to grow within me. Despite everything, despite their rough edges and harsh ways, these minotaurs have become something more than just my protectors.

They've become... family.

But then the dreams come.

In the dead of night, when the camp is quiet and the fire has burned down to embers, the nightmares return. Eryndor, his cruel smile. The bodies of my friends are broken and bleeding. The sound of their screams echoing in my ears.

I wake with a start, my body drenched in sweat, my heart racing. I can still feel Eryndor’s hands on me and still hear his voice in my head, telling me I’m nothing. That I’ll never escape him.

Tears prick at my eyes, and I curl in on myself, trembling. The safety I’ve felt these past few days shatters, replaced by the cold, suffocating fear that has haunted me for so long.

The moonlight filters through the trees, casting eerie shadows on the ground. I try to steady my breathing, but the images from my nightmare cling to me like a second skin. The sound of Eryndor’s laughter echoes in my mind, a haunting reminder of everything I’ve tried to escape.

I hug my knees to my chest, rocking slightly as if that will shake off the terror. It doesn’t. My breath comes in shallow gasps as I fight to stay grounded in the present.

It’s just a dream. Just a dream.

But it feels so real.

I can’t shake the sensation of his hands on me—cold and unyielding. His voice whispers cruel words in my ear, telling me I’m worthless. No matter where I run or who I find shelter with, he’ll always be there, lurking in the shadows.

The tears spill over, hot and unrelenting. I bury my face in my arms to stifle my sobs, not wanting to wake the others. They’ve done so much for me already; they don’t need to see me like this—broken and weak.

But no matter how hard I try to hold it together, the fear consumes me. The safety I thought I’d found here crumbles like ash in the wind. It’s as if Eryndor’s grip on my soul is too strong to break free from.

The night stretches on endlessly as I lie there, trembling and lost in my own mind.

Suddenly, Kael appears beside me, his face filled with concern as he kneels down. “Laia,” he whispers, his hand resting on my shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

I wipe my tears hastily, trying to compose myself. “It’s nothing,” I lie, but the tremor in my voice betrays me.

Kael’s eyes soften, and he shakes his head. “You can tell me,” he says gently. “I’m here.”

Taking a shaky breath, I nod. “It’s the dreams,” I admit. “The nightmares about Eryndor and... everything he did.”

His hand tightens on my shoulder, a silent promise of protection. “You don’t have to face this alone,” he says softly. “We’re here for you. I’m here for you.”

His words are like a balm to my frayed nerves. I lean into him, letting his warmth chase away the lingering chill of my nightmares. He shifts closer, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me against his chest.

For a while, we sit in silence, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding me. “Thank you,” I whisper.

Kael presses his cheek to the top of my head. “Anytime,” he murmurs.

As the tension slowly ebbs from my body, we begin to talk—about anything and everything. Kael tells me stories from his past, about the places he’s seen and the people he’s healed. His voice is soothing, a constant anchor in the storm of my thoughts.

I find myself opening up more than I expected, sharing snippets of my life. Simple things: my favorite foods when I get the chance to eat them; the sound of rain on a tin roof; the way I used to dance when no one was watching. It was my escape from the terrible life I had.

Kael listens with rapt attention, his eyes never leaving mine. There’s no judgment in his gaze, only understanding and empathy.

“I’ve never met anyone like you,” he says quietly after a while.

I look up at him, surprised by the intensity in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

He smiles softly. “Despite everything you’ve been through, you’re still strong. Still kind.” He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “It’s... remarkable.”

Warmth floods through me at his words; I feel... seen.

Eventually, exhaustion catches up with me. My eyelids grow heavy as Kael continues to talk softly about herbs and their healing properties.

“Sleep now,” he whispers as he notices me drifting off. “I’ll protect you.”

I nod weakly, feeling safe in his arms. The last thing I remember is Kael’s soothing presence and the quiet strength in his voice as sleep finally claims me.