Page 85 of Ravaged From Fate

“Right.”

“I’m just sorry for getting you hurt by that side of myself, and maybe it’s why I’ve kept parts of me hidden from you. I didn’t want you, out of anyone, to get hurt by me. But you did. I can understand if you never want to see my stupid face ever again. I am so sorry. For everything.”

This time it’s my turn to take a long pause. I know what I say next will determine both our futures one way or another.

“You just saved me with that aggression, Caspian,” I say. “You don’t have to hate yourself. And no, it’s the opposite of what you said. I want to see your stupid face again and again for a very long time.”

“Elsa…”

He can’t say anything else but my name, and it’s all I need to hear.

“Obviously you’re still recovering and I won’t inundate you with questions, but come on, you were a rockstar with sell-out tours. I’m super curious about everything.”

“I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.”

“Later. I’ll let you sleep.”

“Okay. Thanks. I think I need it.”

I get up from the bedside seat and head towards the door. “Just send me a message if you want me. I’ll be just outside.” I point at his phone on the table. I open the door and then shut it again, turning back around to Caspian. “You know, I realized something this past week.”

“What is it?”

“East Springs won’t fall apart if I’m not there,” I remark. “I think I had tied myself so much to the town because I was afraid of something. Love. I had closed my heart off from love. I was so enthralled in looking after others that I forgot how to look after myself. But then you came along…”

Caspian whispers something, but I can’t hear him. I take a step towards his bed. He repeats what he’s just said.

“I love you, Elsa.”

“I still need time to process everything that’s happened and your past,” I reply softly. “But, without a shadow of a doubt, I love you, Caspian. Isn’t it pretty damn obvious?”

43

CASPIAN

Duck.

I dodge a blow aimed for my head and then raise my hands to block another one before I’m jabbing at his cheek. My opponent swivels and dodges my attempt at his face.

Fuck, I’m too slow and sluggish. I gotta up my game or I’ll be down for the count.

It’s not a street fight I’m involved in, but a sparring match with Cyrus. The first one I’ve done since leaving the hospital two weeks ago. Elsa’s dad, in his professional opinion, instructed me not to exercise for a few more weeks, but my hands have been itching like hell to be behind a pair of boxing gloves. I couldn’t help myself, and Cyrus’ insistent encouragement to get back into his gym every day since my release from the hospital also added to the fuel in my belly.

My movements are not the same since the gunshot wound, though. I feel it in my chest.

Duck.

Jab.

Block.

The worse thing is knowing that Cyrus is taking it easy on me. He hasn’t explicitly told me so, but I can tell he’s pulling his punches. That damages my pride, and we all know how big that is.

Despite my unusually slow speed, I still manage to dodge another jab.

The last few weeks have been some ride. It’s taken Elsa time to fully trust me again after all the revelations about my past. Cyrus, Juniper, and even James have taken things in their stride, but I can sense Elsa thinks I was deceiving her. Hiding things I shouldn’t have hidden. I don’t blame her.

She had a lot of questions about my past as a rockstar, and I was freely answering every single one in the weeks we spent together in the hospital. We spent complete days - me in the bed and her sitting next to me - going through my life. She wanted to know everything, and I told her everything.