70. Kaz
The room isenveloped in darkness as I open my eyes, my head pounding with a migraine. Caelia sleeps soundly, her head resting on my chest and her arm draped over my stomach. Even in my sleep, I can’t help but be possessive. I resisted the urge to turn on the lamp on the nightstand, knowing that the light would only worsen my pain. Instead, I reach for the drawer, searching for painkillers, and swallow them dry.
“What’s wrong?” my wife whispers, her voice filled with concern as she yawns.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. Sorry,” I reply softly.
“It’s fine,” she says, snuggling closer to me and placing a gentle kiss on my naked chest. “Are you all right?”
“Just a migraine,” I answer, feeling her stir as if she wants to get up.
I tighten my hold on her, not ready to let her go just yet.
“Do you want me to bring you anything?” she offers.
Over the past few months, she has let her guard down. Not that she built a wall between us before. She didn’t go back on her promise. Caelia stopped fighting me, and she didn’t try to run. Not from me, anyway. Only from her feelings. I thought about taking back my words, feeling how vulnerable they make me feel, but I wanted her to know. I need her to understand. Time is slipping away, and I must convince her to change her mind before it’s too late.
“No, thank you. You’re all I need.”
“Come here,” she says, and I can see the light from outside seeping into the room.
Even that slight brightness is too much for me. I’ll have to ask to have the nearby lamp post turned off. Caelia sits up, leaning against the wall and spreading her legs.
“You think sex will help?” I raise an eyebrow, teasing her.
“Take your mind out of the gutter.” She laughs. “Lay your head on my lap.”
“Facing up or down?”
“Jesus, Kaz.” She shakes her head. “Just come here.” I indulge her, lying on my back with my head resting in her lap. “Close your eyes.”
Her fingers move in soothing, circular motions, massaging my temples and forehead.
“Is this too painful?”
“No, it’s all right.”
“You should let me get you a compress and some painkillers,” she suggests.
I shake my head. Speaking makes me nauseous. I focus on the rhythm of her breathing, the warmth of her skin, and her comforting scent. She covers me with the sheet, her fingers occasionally running through my hair. I shift to my side, resting my head against her stomach. Caelia wraps an arm around my shoulders, placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head.
“You should lie down.”
“Don’t worry about me. Go back to sleep.”
I’ve never had someone take care of me in the middle of the night before, so it’s unfamiliar territory. Right now, my mind is too clouded to think straight. I keep my eyes closed, knowing that sleep won’t come quickly.
“Do you want to go out to dinner tomorrow? I didn’t show you much around.”
“I’d like that.” I can sense the smile on her lips.
She continues to run her fingers through my hair, gently lulling me toward sleep despite the throbbing pain in my head. My sister, Kat, tried to take Caelia’s side when Dedushka attacked her, but Anya and my aunt remained against her. Katarina knows the truth about Mattia now. It took time for her to understand, but in the end, she realized she hadn’t lost a brother; she got rid of a monster.
They don’t understand why I married Caelia. They’ll always see her as an outsider. Their opinions don’t matter to me, but their disrespect ignited a fire within me. They won’t be allowed back into my life until they learn to respect her. I don’t need their approval for how I live, but their lack of respect infuriates me. They won’t hesitate to criticize me when they find out I intend to involve Caelia in my business. I could find capable people elsewhere, but my trust in others has been shattered. I won’t trust anyone around me until Sevastyan dies and Dedushka starts minding his business.