Chapter 38
NIKIAS
Nikias couldn’t believe that he’d managed to coax Aimilia back to sleep in his arms.
He’d woken up in the middle of the night, and as he’d looked down to see Aimilia, he also realized just beside her, underneath the blanket, was his scar.
The panic had taken over as Aimilia’s voice from the vision filled his ears, and he’d woken her as he’d hidden the scar on his chest under an illusion.
She’d fallen silent after forcing him to explain why he was still determined to marry her and hadn’t resisted when he’d pulled her in again, needing her in his arms or else he feared what his nightmares would taunt him with now.
The fresh images of Aimilia crying out in pain, the rubble trying to sweep them away…
How foolish he’d been to ever pretend to her like he didn’t need her.
As he woke again, he glanced down, and he saw nothing but smooth skin. He breathed easier and stayed still beneath Aimilia, her head resting on his shoulder.
Sunlight had just begun to filter through the canvas and he could see her better now than last night. The light struck her hair, in a braid that had been roughed up by the fight the day before and sleeping on it afterwards.
Just looking at the auburn strands had heat flooding his face, recalling how desperate he’d been when he’d first woken up to have her hands in his hair.
The lingering pain and exhaustion had lowered his inhibitions, calling her amata and craving her gentleness so much he’d tried to ask for it, even if he hadn’t gotten the words out.
But greater than Nikias’ shame for his weakness was the fact that she’d given it.
Now as he stared at her and her hair, he was overwhelmed with the desire to do the same. Aimilia so rarely wore her hair loose, understandable since it was so long and rarely did the Runai women wear their hair loose, especially the nobility, but that only made Nikias crave the sight of it more.
He shifted his hand up, reaching the end of the braid and starting to roll the tie between his thumb and forefinger.
Was this what it would be like? If Aimilia married him, was this going to be his beautiful future? He’d imagined it, but to see it with his own eyes and to have her in his arms was sinking into him.
He was so close.
He hooked his finger on the tie and it loosened. Nikias pulled his finger back, instead sinking them into the little tuft of hair that peeked out below the braid.
His other arm around her waist tightened. He couldn’t let go.
Now that Nikias had seen a true vision of what his future could be, he could stop at nothing to make this a reality.
But he had to be careful.
Considering she’d been asking him why he even still wanted to marry her, she hadn’t put together what him calling her amata meant. Or maybe she just didn’t want to.
Which made sense, given their discussion before the ambush.
She was still focused on Faustina, and if he went too fast, Aimilia would go running in the other direction.
But he was closer than he ever had been before.
The night before wouldn’t have happened otherwise. She wouldn’t be sleeping in his arms otherwise.
Aimilia stirred briefly, and Nikias held his breath, stilling his hand against her back. She shifted her head, nestling in and curling in closer with a soft sweetness overtaking her expression. Nikias’ heart almost stopped.
He’d always hoped to have this, but it was always a dream just out of reach. But this was real.
He could not mess this up.
He wouldn’t get another chance with her.
He’d been so close the night before to letting it all come out. He’d almost told her how much she meant to him and how horrifying it had been to see her almost get hurt.
But the scar on his chest she couldn’t see had sunk its claws in and silenced those words.
He just had to find a way to finally get her over whatever remaining hurdles were left and then, when she finally confessed her feelings, he could ask her again to marry him and tell her everything. He would no longer have to hold back any of his affection.
He knew the hurdle wasn’t physical attraction.
Her kissing him back had certainly proven that objection completely unfounded.
Plus, he doubted it was any personal objections from what she’d said when she found him after the healers.
Nikias just didn’t know how much longer it would take, or rather how much longer he could wait.
She was a test of all his patience and self-control. He was certain if she knew just how much of his affection he was holding back, she’d probably be terrified.
Nikias heard movement about the camp. Aimilia stirred again, a soft, disgruntled sigh leaving her stunning lips.
Nikias checked that his illusion was still in place.
Nothing could be seen. He carefully slid out from under her and found a change of clothes and his cloak.
Although his cloak was still filthy from the attack, it was better than not having one.
As soon as he was dressed, he looked back over his shoulder to see Aimilia had curled her hands into the blanket he’d been under, a soft smile on her lips.
Now that Nikias had had just this little taste of what could be, there was no power on this earth strong enough to ever make him give up on turning this into his reality.
Nikias slipped out of the tent.
They didn’t have time to waste if they were to get back on the road. As he stepped out into the sunlight, the guard outside the tent started to see him up and about, but Nikias ignored him to see what had been creating the noise.
Coming out from the forest were two riders at the front and a few guards behind them. Konstantin and the Desero demon. The Runai guards were murmuring amongst themselves about whether they should break the illusion or step out from it to greet them or wait.
Nikias cleared his throat and they all turned to him, bowing.
“Your Highness, you shouldn’t—”
Nikias raised his hand and silenced the healer. He said, “Break the illusion.”
How on earth had Hypatia and Konstantin gotten here so quickly? Had they known about the ambush? Had they let Nikias and Aimilia walk into a trap?
If so, there would be hell to pay.
Two of the guards obeyed his command and shattered Aimilia’s illusion.
Hypatia was already dismounting, scanning the landscape where she didn’t see the camp. She turned to Konstantin and was saying something, gesturing.
Then the illusion fell and she straightened up with a smirk as soon as she could see the camp. She flashed a grin at her husband before taking the reins and heading toward the camp. Konstantin shook his head and dismounted, following her.
So much for Nikias’ pleasant morning.