Chapter 48-He Heard Her
Vikram woke to pain.
Every breath hurt.
His head felt as though Balram had used it for weapons practice.
He opened his eyes.
Ceiling.
His chamber.
He tried to move.
Terrible idea.
"Don't."
Vikram turned his head.
Vinaya was asleep in the chair beside him.
Or had been.
Now she was staring.
For several seconds neither spoke.
Then her face crumpled.
"You absolute idiot."
Vikram blinked.
"Good morning to you too."
Vinaya made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob.
Then she struck his uninjured arm.
"Ow."
"You deserve worse."
"I was hit by a mountain."
"A piece of a mountain."
"Still."
She hit him again.
"Vinaya."
"I thought you were going to die!"
There it was.
Her anger collapsed.
Vikram's humor disappeared.
"Come here."
She hesitated only a second.
Then leaned toward him.
He wrapped his good arm around her.
Vinaya buried her face against his chest.
Vikram winced.
She immediately pulled back.
"I hurt you."
"Worth it."
"Stop being foolish."
"Apparently that is a permanent character defect."
She laughed wetly.
He smiled.
Then he studied her.
There were shadows beneath her eyes.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"Almost two days."
His eyebrows rose.
"You stayed?"
Vinaya glared.
"Obviously."
Something warm entered his expression.
She looked away.
Then Vikram said quietly:
"I heard you."
Vinaya froze.
He almost smiled.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Heard what?"
"You know."
"I said many things."
"You called me an idiot several times."
"That remains accurate."
"You insulted my intelligence."
"Also accurate."
"And..."
His gaze held hers.
"You told me you loved me."
Vinaya's face changed.
"Oh."
Vikram's smile disappeared.
He did not tease.
Did not make her repeat it.
Did not demand anything.
He simply took her hand.
"You don't have to say it again."
She looked at him.
"I meant it."
His fingers tightened.
"I know."
"No."
Vinaya drew a breath.
"I want to say it while you are awake."
Vikram went still.
She looked directly into his eyes.
"I love you."
His eyes filled.
Vinaya had never seen a man look so happy and so close to tears at once.
"I love you too."
"I know."
A laugh escaped him.
"You could pretend it is exciting information."
"You told me already."
"Repeatedly."
"Yes."
"You were very stubborn about not believing me."
"I had reasons."
His smile faded.
"I know."
Vinaya touched his face.
"I still remember everything."
"You should."
"I still hurt sometimes."
"I know."
"Loving you doesn't erase it."
Vikram turned his face and kissed her palm.
"I would never ask it to."
That answer mattered.
Vinaya leaned forward and kissed him.
Softly.
When she withdrew, Vikram rested his forehead against hers.
"What happens now?"
She looked at him.
"We stop living as though everything good is going to be taken from us."
His throat tightened.
"That sounds difficult."
"It probably will be."
"And?"
Vinaya smiled faintly.
"We do it anyway."
Vikram closed his eyes.
She brushed her thumb across his cheek.
"I want a life with you."
His eyes opened.
"A real one."
He stared at her.
"Vinaya—"
"Not because you saved me."
He nodded.
"Not because I forgive everything."
Another nod.
"And not because I need you to make me whole."
Something like pride appeared in his face.
"I know."
"I want you because..."
She smiled.
"You're you."
"That is disappointingly unspecific."
Vinaya laughed.
Vikram's eyes closed briefly at the sound.
Then she kissed him again.
And for the first time, neither of them was trying to repair the past.
They were choosing the future.