Chapter 95
Nix
Resting my head on that perfect spot between Volik’s chest and shoulder, his naked body wonderfully warm against mine, I close my eyes.
Maybe it’s the sex. Or the pleasure of telling Volik I love him. Or the joy at hearing him say it to me, over and over again, while he was inside me. Maybe it’s all of it together. But I feel… settled.
The knowledge of our eventual joint death is still lingering in my mind. A constant reminder that I need to be vigilant about my safety, for Volik’s sake. But it’s also… peaceful. Knowing I’ll never have to live without him.
And just like that… I remember.
“Your parents,” I whisper, as a new sadness wraps around me.
“Da.” Volik pulls me tighter into his side. “My father was away from home when he was killed. I was in the house, by myself, while Vameer was out doing chores with our mother. We grew up with the love stories of mates. So when she… collapsed, my brother knew it meant our father had also passed.”
“I’m so sorry. That… That must’ve been awful for both of you.”
Volik lets out a slow breath. “They would not have wanted to leave us. But I have comfort knowing they did not leave each other.”
I try to control my tears as I reach an arm over Volik’s wide body and hug him. And when I don’t know what else to say, I repeat my words from earlier. “I love you.”
“Da,” he purrs. “I love you too, Nixy.” He presses a kiss to my hair. “Now sleep.”