Chapter 77
ADELINA
Where the hell were the damn bandages?
I went to find Dorin in this shell of a place Cezar had been forced to live in. I tried to avoid as many people shuffling in and out as I could. It was getting late, and tomorrow was going to be a big day.
Finally spotting him, I yanked him toward an unoccupied hallway. He grabbed the collar of his shirt as I let go, giving me a worried look.
“What do you need?”
I didn’t even want to say it. “Bandages…”
A small, awkward laugh rumbled out. I probably looked like a disaster. Surprisingly, there was no disapproval in his stare—just relief, like he’d expected worse.
“Hang on. I will go get my supplies.” He walked off, calm as ever.
“Here,” he said when he returned, holding the supplies. “Do you want help?”
I hated how fast I nodded.
The shame. Exposing Cezar again. But Dorin was better with all the medical shit.
We headed to the room I’d left Cezar in. “Wait. Let me go in first,” I said. “Just… let me check.”
He nodded and waited in the hall.
“Hey Cezar, would you mind if Dorin helped me with the cleanup?”
He seemed a bit uneasy, but he agreed.
Dorin entered and paused for just a second, taking in the scene, then crossed the room with focus. “Glad to see me again?” he tried, half-heartedly.
Cezar managed a smile before exhaustion took it. We got him to the bathroom and lowered him onto the shower stool so he didn’t have to stand. I kneeled between his legs, resting my head on his thighs while Dorin worked on the lash marks.
Cezar’s hand drifted into my hair, fidgeting with my strands. Every so often, I felt him tense from the sting of whatever Dorin was doing, but he didn’t make a sound.
Once Dorin was done patching him, we helped him up so I could handle the rest. Dorin took his leave from the bathroom, giving us space. I reached for the rag, but Cezar pulled me into him, arms closing around me like a cocoon.
“I love you, let me love you forever,” he said.
The need to cry just wouldn’t fucking go away.
“I will. I love you too, Cezar. Now let me finish so we can rest.”
He held on for a bit longer before letting go, even though I could’ve stayed like that forever. Once he released me, I finished cleaning him up bit by bit. His neck and hands were raw, the marks from the pillory still bright on his skin.
When we were done, we went back to the bedroom. Dorin waited with the bandages. “Lie down, Cezar.” He followed the instruction without argument.
He stayed silent through the sharp bite of the medicine, even though I could see his fists gripping the sheets.
“All done.”
“Thank you,” Cezar and I answered Dorin together.
“I’ll wake you in the morning. Try to sleep, both of you.” He stepped out, leaving the room hushed again.
I glanced at Cezar. “Are you all right?”
“I am now. As long as you’re here, I’m all right.” His voice grew heavy with sleep.
I crept into his arms and rested against him. He shifted to make space for me, eyes still closed.
“And you?” he asked.
“I’m okay.”
I breathed with him, listening as the room grew quiet.
“I wish you could’ve met my mom.”
The words lingered, sinking into the silence.
I brushed a kiss against his neck. “I do too.”
We drifted off together.