Page 770 of Coal Hearts

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I COULDN’T CATCH MY BREATH as I rocked gently over Henri, bringing him back from where I’d pushed him.

He shuddered beneath me as the final ripple of his climax faded.

My heart overflowed with love.

Never-ending, unconditional love.

It took everything not to say the words.

Not to whisper or moan.

But I couldn’t.

I had no doubt that if I’d uttered a single syllable, Peter’s tongue would’ve been tossed in my direction while I rode my twin flame.

I’d been naïvely brave in the six months I’d been trapped here.

I’d put my faith in a higher power and trusted in endless good.

But...hearing Peter being whipped for my outburst while I was given the gift of being with Henri had broken something inside me.

Guilt.

Shame.

Remorse.

I was the reason Peter suffered.

The reason Henri bled.

And I wouldn’t be the cause of any more pain.

I wouldn’t blindly believe that we could win when Victor had proven time and time again that we never could.

One more day...

Just one more day, and this might all be over.

Sucking in a deep breath, Henri relaxed beneath me.

His eyes refocused. He swallowed hard. He smiled a heartbreaking smile as we stared and saw and loved.

I love you. I opened my heart. So, so much. For always.

His eyelashes hooded. He nodded. His lips parted to—

Cruel hands landed in my hair and wrenched me backward.

I cried out as pain flashed across my scalp.

Henri slipped free from me.

His warm pleasure oozed down my inner thigh.

And my knees crunched agonisingly as Victor tossed me onto the stage beside the chaise lounge where Henri lay strapped and bound.