25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Nik
Sleeping had never been so hard for Nik. He couldn’t recall a single time where his mind and body had betrayed him so deeply. Every night for a week, he tossed and turned, pleading with his thoughts to cease, until exhaustion finally took over. But it never lasted.
His eyes flew open. He stared at the ceiling in the darkness, taking a moment to orient himself. His head throbbed and his eyes felt swollen and bloodshot. He couldn’t have gotten more than two hours of sleep.
A muffled cry came from beside him, and he turned his head toward Ali. It was too dark to see, but he could sense her body next to him. Feel her warmth against his side. She sobbed again, and the mattress shifted slightly under her weight.
She didn’t know he was awake.
It had been a week since they’d come home from the medical chamber and after that first day, she’d refused to let him see her cry. It was as though she had something to prove, determined to remain strong even though it was clearly killing them both.
But now, in the dead of the night, she let down her guard and cried into her pillow. The ever-present lump in Nik’s throat grew larger.
The sound of her heartbreak absolutely gutted him.
He clenched his jaw and turned onto his side, moving his arm across the bed to find Ali’s torso. She jolted when he grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to him. Her back melted into his chest and he nuzzled the nape of her neck.
She sniffled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Don’t apologize,” he whispered against her skin. “I’m here.”
Her body shuddered as she stifled another wave of tears. Nik tightened his grip, keeping her tucked safely against him. Slowly, her crying ceased and the rhythm of her breathing told Nik she’d fallen back asleep. He closed his eyes, hoping he could join her…until the next time she woke up sobbing.
Morning came far too early. The dim light of the lamp on the wall illuminated the bedroom in a warm glow and Nik peeled his eyes open. He was certain the bags under his eyes had doubled in size overnight. Ali slept peacefully under the weight of his arm, her head tucked just below his chin.
No part of him wanted to wake her, but today was supposed to be his first day back at work. As gently as he could, he slid his arm out and rolled toward the other side of the bed. He kept his movements slow and quiet and when he rose to his feet, Ali’s breathing remained steady.
After a quick shower and a stale bagel, Nik kissed Ali goodbye on her forehead. She stirred, but her eyes stayed closed. Honestly, Nik was glad. As much as he wanted to properly say goodbye and tell her he loved her, it was better that she rested. At least one of them should.
He hurried to meet Grace at her home. More often than not, she stayed with Eli these days. He’d check both locations since they hadn’t had a chance to catch up recently.
He’d no sooner reached the entry chamber when he spotted Grace walking through the door to the cafeteria. Problem solved.
Inside the cafeteria, people chattered in a low hum, most of them still half asleep but determined to grab a bite to eat before their workday started. Searching the small crowd, Nik found Grace had taken a seat next to Eli at a table on the far left.
As he approached, Grace looked up and waved him over.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said as Nik took a seat next to Eli.
“Today was supposed to be my first day back, wasn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but I figured you could use more time off. I’ve already asked Soren to meet me here this morning.”
Soren, Nik’s replacement while he’d been off work, was a young boy, barely eighteen, but eager to earn some spending money.
He was a kind kid but tall and muscular, which intimidated those who didn’t know him.
At first glance, he looked like he could rip a person apart with his bare hands, but within five minutes of meeting him Nik could tell he was nothing but a teddy bear.
He had a good heart, and Grace trusted him.
“Oh. I guess I’ll just go back home then.
” Nik began to rise from his seat, wishing he had something else to do to keep his mind off of things.
He was happy to keep Ali company and take care of her, but during the moments of silence, the loss hit him like lightning, sending bolts of pain and shock through his body.
He’d been looking forward to the distraction that work would provide.
Grace must’ve picked up on his disappointment because she said, “Eli could use a training partner. Isn’t that right?”
Beside him, Nik could’ve sworn he caught Eli rolling his eyes. “Yeah, sure. I’ve missed having someone talk shit and belittle me.”
Grace’s eyes narrowed, but Nik huffed a laugh. “You can count me in then.”
“You should get something to eat. Wouldn’t want you to get all weak on me,” Eli said.
It was Nik’s turn to roll his eyes, but Eli was right. So Nik filled a plate with eggs, sausage, and breakfast potatoes.
As he ate, he asked Grace, “Have you discovered anything about who poisoned Ali?” He didn’t add, ‘and murdered my child,’ though he wanted to. It brought a mix of unbearable anger and sorrow that he wasn’t ready to confront.
Grace sighed and shook her head. “Not yet. Unfortunately, we don’t have much to go off other than the envelope and the fact that it had to be either a council member or someone who had access to a council member’s key.
No one else should’ve been able to enter the room.
We can’t even be certain who the poison was meant for since the envelope wasn’t addressed to anyone.
I’m pretty confident it was either for myself or my mother though. ”
“It had to be Eamon,” Eli said.
Nik ground his teeth and nodded in agreement.
“That’s a good probability,” Grace said, her voice calm, “but we can’t do anything without proof.”
Nik scowled. “So whoever did this is going to get away with it?”
Grace’s eyes were full of sympathy. “We’re doing everything we can.”
Nik knew that, and it still wasn’t enough. He wanted to snap someone’s neck in half. Wanted to gut them and watch them bleed. Make them feel the pain that he did. Leave them to die alone like they’d left Ali.
Grace apologized again, but Nik remained lost in thought for the remainder of breakfast. When Soren arrived and Grace left with him to meet the council, Eli said in a hushed tone, “We’ll make them pay.”
Nik turned to him, spotting a bitter determination that matched his own, and he gave Eli a small nod.
Yes, they would.
Nik couldn’t recall the last time he’d pushed himself this hard during a run. He didn’t bother glancing behind him but could tell by the silence that he’d left Eli in his dust. Each inhale pumped his legs harder, and each exhale solidified his unyielding drive.
Sweat dripped down his forehead, and he wiped it with the back of his hand.
He saw the finish line nearing and increased his pace more than what should’ve been humanly possible.
As he bolted between two tall evergreen trees that marked the end of his run, his body stumbled forward and he collapsed on the ground, panting and clutching his chest. His heart felt like it was trying to escape his ribcage.
After a few minutes, the sound of footsteps came from the woods and then Eli ran between the same two trees, slowing to a halt next to Nik.
He bent over and put his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.
He glanced at Nik and it was obvious he wanted to say something, but he seemed to think better of it.
Please do, Nik thought. Please give me a reason to bust your lip.
Fighting with someone was just what he needed right now.
Eli straightened and used his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. Then he held a hand out to Nik…the opposite of what Nik had been hoping for. Nik sighed and gripped Eli’s hand, allowing him to pull Nik to his feet.
“The third round is a race down the mountain and then back up again,” Eli explained, still catching his breath. “Not much to train for this time, aside from stamina. I figured I’d just repeat the process over and over again until my legs collapse.”
“Sounds perfect,” Nik said, thrilled at the prospect of endless physical activity that would leave him no time or energy to remember what he’d lost. Maybe he’d even get some decent sleep afterwards.
Eli led him to the designated starting point of the third round. It was a little over a week away, but crews were present, setting up the makeshift stands for spectators.
“The starting point at the top and flag location at the bottom are set in stone, but the path between is up to each suitor. Meaning we can navigate and determine the best route during practice.”
At the same moment Eli finished explaining, a man climbed up a steep part of the mountain and rose to his feet. The dark-haired, fair skinned man with a wiry beard took one step before his eyes met Nik’s and he broke into a sinister grin.
Trevor.
Nik’s feet were moving before his thoughts could catch up. This man was responsible for the loss of their child. Well, his father was, but Trevor was just as guilty by association. If Nik couldn’t get his hands on Eamon, then Trevor would do.
The rebels had almost killed Ali too. It didn’t matter who the poison was intended for—Ellen, Grace, another council member…Ali had paid the price. Fury coursed through his veins like nothing he’d felt before.
Trevor must’ve seen in it his eyes because he took a step back as Nik approached. His hands went up in surrender. “Whoa there, buddy. What’s got you so bothered?”
Nik’s fist connected with Trevor’s jaw with a vicious crack. Trevor stumbled back a step. Before he could regain his footing, Nik hit him again. Then he grabbed him by the neck and pulled him forward, ramming his knee into Trevor’s stomach.