Chapter 12. Hold Me Through the Night

Athena

For the first time in months, I sleep without nightmares.

Tristan holds me through the night, just like he used to when we were younger. Back when he was still just Orion’s best friend, the older boy who treated me like the little sister he never had.

Back when everything was simple and safe, before my world turned upside down twice over—first when our parents died, then when I made the mistake of thinking he could love me the way I loved him.

That night five years ago still haunts me sometimes, but I’ve learned to lock those feelings away where they can’t hurt me again.

Now, lying here in his arms again, I can feel those dangerous feelings trying to resurface. But I force the emotions down, lock them away where they can’t hurt me again.

He’s made his position clear. He sees me as a sister, as family, nothing more. And I need to accept that, need to be grateful for the familial love he’s offering instead of yearning for som