Page 750 of Coal Hearts

I sobbed as he kicked Henri’s legs apart.

I suffocated on a scream as Victor wrenched down his trousers, fisted his cock, and—

I shot upright.

Panting.

Sweating.

Breaking.

Just a nightmare.

Just a dream.

Another one.

One of so many.

Every night, I screamed in my sleep.

Every morning, I woke hoarse from begging monsters to stop hurting him when I couldn’t utter a word in real life.

My sheets dripped with sick panic. My heart raced so fast it skipped and palpitated.

Falling back into my fear-damp sheets, I curled into a ball and sobbed.

I was so tired.

So, so tired of this horror.

Of watching Victor break my twin flame into pieces.

Pieces I did my best to gather up and hold safe but were slowly snuffing out.

I didn’t know how much longer I could survive it.

How much longer Henri could survive it.

A key slipped into my door.

The lock snicked open.

I huddled under my blankets as footfalls entered my room.

The guards were early.

It was barely dawn—

Someone wrenched my cocoon away, leaving me trembling in the icy light.

Before I could move, slender feminine fingers threaded softly through my hair. Someone bent over me; soft lips fed whispers into my ear. “It’s almost over, Ily. Christmas is in two days, and our presents are ready.”

She pulled away.

I sat up in a rush just in time to see Faiza grab the dirty towels where I’d thrown them over the chair and scurry to the door. The glint of a golden collar replaced her silver one.

She smiled as she caught me looking, her dark eyes bright and hopeful instead of despondent and depressed. “He made me a jewel yesterday. This is my last morning cleaning. But...” She hugged my towels and winked. “Christmas is in two days.”