KISS ME AFTER THE WAR

p when Emily walke

ght, too peaceful for a place still reeking of blood and burnt history. The table at the center of the room wa

uth said, her voice

gloves, tossed them onto the table, and leaned forw

she sai

lifted. "And what

I was curio

t. "He's good at that. Worming under your skin. Sm

er gaze. "H

o Elizabeth. Not to the men who died

hung between them f

say I forgave him. I haven'

keep goi

n Ruth's voice, only exha

o knows what we actually lost. Not in numbers. Not in town

oping if you stare at him long en

ed. "I just want to under

e, piercing the map. "Maybe he smiles

still, her j

said. "You don't have t

ed coldly. "But don't con

the air hung heavy

idded. His wrists burned where the shackles dug deep, but he welcomed t

dang

er presence lingered. Emily Valen. A wo

e hollow. He hadn't ex

dn't move. Footsteps echoed slow,

wasn'

d in a medic's coat with silver embroidery nea

enough for me to ca

you here?" R

n and tossed it toward him. I

he asked,

we're lucky, you'll live long

the canteen. "I like her f

to her badge tilted her he

t," he

es. "You think this i

is the quiet part before the next war. And I

She turned and left

st beyond the war room door, cane resting lightly b

uth. Secret

o intention of

l in love with monsters, thinking th

eam that understanding him would somehow m

scars to

n the corridor like a metronome counting do