Chapter 42 #2
There isn't a doubt in my mind that Atlas will be relieved to see me. Hani is right. I survived. I'm healing. And one day, I will have my revenge.
Once I've carefully scrubbed my body, Hani helps me dry before applying ointment across my skin.
It soothes the itch from the healing burns and I'm grateful for her care.
She has a fresh set of clothes for me, similar to her own.
It seems the style in the secret desert kingdom is lightweight, flowy, and light colors.
This layered look is similar to my first, except this outfit is a sunset orange.
Hani styles my hair with a few braids scattered amongst my loose flowing locks.
She presses her ringed hands to my shoulders as we look at my reflection in the mirror. "Beautiful."
For the first time since Ronan's wedding, I feel like myself again.
"Now, let's go see your friend."
I leap to my feet, instantly regretting the swift movement. I hiss in pain, but wave Hani off when she attempts to grab me. "I'm fine. Just no sudden movements."
She nods with a warm grin. "No sudden movements."
Together, we leave my room and make our way down a wide hallway a couple doors down. She raps her knuckles against the wood twice before swinging the door open.
I gasp when I see Nyx. He has managed to kick all his covers off and is lying on his side shirtless with similar beige loose-fitting pants I had on earlier. There are wounds on his chest, his face, and I know there are some on his back I can't see from this angle.
Slowly, I tip-toe my way to the other side to get a look at his back. There are bandages across the slashes Vesper inflicted. A ball of a thousand emotions lodges in my throat. I throw a hand over my mouth in attempts to harbor whatever gasps and whimper try to escape.
A tear slips down my cheek watching him breathe. "Oh, Nyx," I whisper.
"Kitarni?" He says groggily, groaning as he turns over on his back.
"I'm here, Nyx," I claim the seat by his bedside and snatch his bruised hand in mine. I squeeze harder than I've ever squeezed someone's hand. Partially to make sure he knows I'm here, but partially so I know he's real and I'm not dreaming this experience from a desert grave. "I'm here, Nyx."
His eyes slowly blink open. The slash down the right side of his face is beginning to heal but not fast enough.
He must be having trouble with his magical strength too.
I have to do something, so I place my free hand to his cheek and infuse my power to heal him.
A glow lights his face and Hani's mouth falls open in wonder, but she doesn't say anything.
Slowly, his face stitches together and once the wound is closed, I release him.
I've drained myself once again and will need to recoup to my full-strength.
"That felt weird," he teases, coughing. "How bad is it?"
"You're still the most handsome man I know," I smile, though it pains me to see him like this. "Ladies love a good scar."
Nyx's face drops and he swallows a lump in his throat. He attempts to smile but fails. "I hope they love loads of scars then." He stares down at his chest and my stomach twists.
"That was impressive." A male voice from the doorway echoes, drawing our gaze.
Standing beside Hani are a male and female I feel like I know but can't quite place. The harder I stare; it finally hits me. These were the two sand wielders who rescued us last night and desolated Drogon's forces.
"I know you," Nyx struggles to sit up, so I help him. His eyes haven't left Hagar for a second. "You're real. I thought I imagined you."
"Did you mean to say that out loud?" Hagar asks, arms folded across her chest. She's wearing a cream color that highlights her brown eyes and skin perfectly.
She looks exactly like Hani, except her hair dangles just above her shoulders and she doesn't don as much jewelry.
There's a dragon tattooed on her breastbone, and it matches Helios' in the same spot.
Their tattoos must be akin to Frost Elves dragon rider tattoos.
Nyx stammers, "Sorry. I didn't mean to be weird."
"Don't apologize," Hani swats Hagar's arm. "She's just grumpy." She smiles at him. "It's nice to see you awake. Your coloring has returned."
"Yes," Hagar agrees. "You aren't pale now."
Hani sighs, as if she's lost all patience. "Forgive me, introductions aren't our strong suit," Hani places a hand to her chest. "I'm Hani Naziri. This is my brother, Helios, and my sister, Hagar. They're twins."
Helios and Hagar nod their heads in respect, but don't add anything else to the conversation. The twins seem to be the strong, silent type, which is fine with me. I'm not really interested in having more long-drawn out conversations today.
"I'm Aurelia Basilius-Sol and this is my friend – "
"Nyx. Nyx Harland," he introduces himself, his eyes still fixed on Hagar.
"Thank you for saving us," I add, eyes drifting from Helios to Hagar.
"You're welcome," Helios places a hand to his heart. "When you are well, we will take you to meet our father. For now, rest. You are safe here."
His gravelly, soothing voice is honeyed and instantly washes me with peace. Safe. We are safe here. I can breathe easier.
"We will let you catch up," Hani says, ushering her older siblings out of the room. "I'll be back to apply more ointment to your wounds." With that, the Naziri trio slip out the door, leaving me with Nyx.
It takes me several agonizing seconds to tear my weepy eyes from the door and focus on Nyx. He's already staring at me when I finally glance at him.
"Spit it out," he says. "What's troubling you?"
"What's troubling me?" I sputter a laugh, confused. "Look at us, Nyx. This is all my fault. Had you not been with me when Vesper attacked – "
He snatches my hand in his and shakes his head. "I was where I was supposed to be. This is not your fault, Kitarni." His eyes widen. "Wait." His gaze wanders over my neck and to the sliver of my stomach poking out from beneath my cropped blouse. "Are those… are those burns?"
When I don't immediately answer, his face hardens, rage ignites in his hazel eyes. "What the fuck happened?"
I open and close my mouth several times. How do I even explain the torture I endured?
"Shaye." His rare use of my name doesn't go unnoticed. It's how I know he's demanding an answer without sounding mean.
"The portal is open," I say softly. He waits for more. "Drogon killed Vesper."
His brows shoot upward. "He killed her?"
I nod. "She angered him."
"What does that have to do with what happened to you?"
I swallow hard. "Drogon said he was going to break me. Punish me for being Enver Sol's daughter. So he…"
Nyx's shoulders tense and he squeezes my hand.
"I thought he was going to have me whipped," I bite my bottom lip, staving off tears. "He tied me up and stripped me naked. Then he…" I whimper and clear my throat. "His hands burn. The longer he holds his hands in one spot, the worse the burn. I'm covered."
"I'm going to kill him," he growls, his muscles taut in combined anger and resistance. "Where was Bastian while you were being assaulted? Tell me Drogon killed that son-of-a-bitch."
This part of the story is really going to piss him off. "He's alive. He tried to stop Drogon but – "
"Fuck!" Nyx screams. "They hurt you! He is responsible. He shouldn't be alive!"
"Bastian is the only reason we're alive. He got us out of Malvolio. He was injured in the desert but then Hagar and Helios showed up."
"Bastian is here?" His eyes are feral and I'm scared he'll tear Bastian apart limb from limb if he gets his hands on him.
"I don't know where he is," I answer truthfully. "But I believe he's here somewhere."
"Seems I won't have a chance to put my hands on the bastard," Nyx huffs, reclining against his pillows. "The Naziris won't let him live. Not if they know what he is."
They're aware. They recognized the Beast of Midori immediately.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you," Nyx's voice is broken and it pierces my chest. "You were assaulted and I wasn't there to save you."
I press my palm to his cheek and kiss his forehead.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Nyx. We survived.
We will have our revenge." He opens his mouth to say something, but I can't handle more.
I'm saddened and hurting physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I tap my finger to his mouth, silencing him.
"Hani will be here to tend to your wounds.
My room is two doors down. I need some rest, but I will visit you soon. "
Without waiting for a response, I kiss his forehead once more, before hobbling to the door. As soon as it shuts behind me, all the tears I've been holding back flood my cheeks.