Page 31 of Haven

But I told her everything, laying my soul bare and watching her face as she took in the information. When my voice wobbled, her jaw tensed. When I got to Jude, I could feel the anger radiating off her, but it wasn't towards me. She comforted me when my mind wanted to pull me back. God, this woman didn’t know what she was stepping into.

When all my cards were on the table from childhood trauma to my suicide attempt, I ducked my head before she could say anything, waiting for her rejection. “You don’t have to do that. I’m not going to look at you differently. How did you get out?”

I wanted to believe her, but it was still too early to tell. I'd barely scratched the surface. There was a lot she hadn’t witnessed, and who’s to say she wouldn’t run when I had a nightmare or a panic attack? “Sometimes this baggage can get heavy,” I muttered. I needed to change the topic before my mind spiraled. “My sister found me when I was seventeen. It took a lot, but she finally saved me. She killed Jude and brought me back to Briarwood.”

Twenty-Six

Hades

Rory was waiting for the other shoe to drop; as if almost hoping to hear that I didn’t want her. Maybe it would be easier for her to accept rejection. I didn’t see a broken girl when I looked at Rory—I saw a powerful warrior who held her head high and unapologetically danced with danger. Her story would not make me run away screaming. I knew something had happened to her because of the marks on her skin; it didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that.

There was something between us that I couldn’t explain, like a slow-burning fire that never went out while the flames grew with every touch. It wasn’t love, not yet. Rory could ruin me or she could be the best damn thing that happened to me. When she was ready, she could tell me more of her story, but I wasn’t going to pry or beg for an answer. I wanted to learn about her—her hopes, dreams, goals, fears. I wanted to see her story through her words.

“Tell me something about you,” I prompted.

Rory arched her brow with a smile tugging at her lips. “Wow. So…after the emotional autopsy, you want to know my fun facts?” I laughed and nodded. “Uhhh, I have a fantastic talent for tripping over flat surfaces. I don’t know why Cinder gave me a bike for my birthday.”

I laughed, pulling her into my arms tightly. “I can work with that. What’s your favorite color?”

She smiled, raising an eyebrow with a playful look on her face. “The hot pink Ducati and pink hair didn’t give it away?”

“So a princess’s name and a princess’s favorite color,” I teased, and she tensed. Her eyes glazed over, and I could see her slip off into her mind. I said something that triggered her. “Hey look at me. What’s wrong?”

Her hand went down her arm as a shiver made her entire body shudder. “I don’t like being called ‘princess’. I know it’s a cute pet name for everyone else, but it’s a trigger for me. Sometimes my reactions vary depending on who says it.”

I pulled her into me. “Well, I hate that pet name, anyway. I’ll find one suitable for you, one that matches the fire in your soul.”

Rory kissed my collarbone before resting her head on my chest. “You want to do this? Trauma and all?”

I pulled her into my arms as we listened to the waves crash against the shore. “Trauma and all. I know this is fast and maybe it doesn’t make sense right now, but I want you, and this, and to see where it leads us.”

Her breath hitched, and I saw a tear slide down her face. “Why do I feel like you’re going to break my heart?”

“I break a lot of things, beautiful, but your heart won’t be one of them.”

She leaned forward, capturing my lips in a soft kiss. This one was delicate, like a butterfly landing on my skin. “Trusting you with my body was easier than trusting you with my heart, but just know if you break it, I will kill you.” She paused, watching for my reaction before a slow smile spread across her face. “So does this mean we’re dating?”

“Yes. And in a few weeks, I’ll officially ask you to be my girlfriend.”

“Do you prefer being called Haven or Hades?”

“Either one works for me. Dr. Haven Morningstar is more of a persona and Hades is me, but I like the idea of heaven and hell falling from your lips.”

She laughed at my cheesy comparison of my name. “I think I’ll stick with Hades. What are you going to do if Cinder tries to hurt you?”

“Ehh, at least I got to meet you. Rory, this feud isn’t between us. This story doesn’t have to be a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet. I want you. I’ll fight for you.”

“Cinder is going to be pissed, but I’m not letting her take this from me, either. I love her, but sometimes she can be too much. Before this gets any more serious and you cause me to swoon, you need to know I’m not monogamous. I’m in love with two other women, though they are off-limits. I just wanted to let you know.”

“Okay.”

She blinked. “Okay? You’re okay with this?”

“I’m not threatened or afraid of the way you love,” I told her, grabbing her hand. She was surprised by my acceptance. “I want you, and that means respecting the way you live and the way you love. If I get to be a part of it, then I am not going to try to change you or force you into a box.”

Her face softened, and she looked like she was on the verge of tears. “I…I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m not going to pretend that I know everything about polyamory, but I will learn. If this is what love looks like for you, then I want to learn and adapt so I can be a part of your life, even if that means sharing you.”