43 Morning Shower

Camila

I could tell Ronan was uplifted and light-hearted. He must have bottled so much in with that hard exterior he always kept.

"You seem uplifted," I managed, still catching my breath.

"You can imagine. Wanting someone so much yet you dare not touch. It's been hard," he said and looked at me with a sincerity that tugged at my heart.

I could imagine. That has been my life, but I kept it to myself. I was just grateful for the moment.

"When we are together, you call me by my name, Malishka; we are equals in the comfort of our home," he said, and I searched his eyes, feeling the depth of his words. He touched my cheek gently, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I have thought about it, and I promise to find a way for us. You, me, and Katya. You just have to trust me," he said, his eyes pleading with a vulnerability that made my chest tighten.

I gradually nodded, knowing I would not hold him to his promise. The world was already unfair, and my people were unfortunate; there was no point in