Chapter 142

Jaxon POV

The taste of ash wouldn’t leave my mouth.

It’s been a week. It had been days of this, of her looking at me like I was a stranger, or worse, a monster.

I stood outside her door now, fist clenched, heart hammering, and I didn’t know what I was waiting for. Permission? A sign? Hell, I didn’t know anymore.

Screw it.

I pushed the door open, ignoring the soft protest from the hinges. The room smelled like her I’d always craved. But now, that scent felt like a knife.

Elvira was by the window, wrapped in a thin robe, her hair spilling down her back in a dark, tangled wave. She didn’t turn when I entered.

“Elvira.” My voice cracked on her name.

Slowly, she turned. And gods, that look.