The nervousness visibly waned from Nadir's shoulders, and his body relaxed. He sank his hands to his knees, head hanging. "Thank the Architects," he muttered.
Dorian smiled smugly. "Bring it in, Commander," he said, arms opening.
Nadir straightened and eyed the Prince. “I wasn't aware we were on hugging terms," he replied as he slowly crossed the space.
"You're fucking my sister," Dorian said shortly. "Practically family."
"Dorian, if every person you and I have slept with is now family, we may as well hug the entire kingdom," Nyssa said behind him.
"I think I'd rather you punch me," Nadir noted.
"I agree."
Dorian’s fist railed into Nadir's face.
Nyssa screamed, and Nadir hit the floor. Dorian cursed the pain in his hand and shook it out as Nyssa shoved him to run to Nadir.
"Fuck, Commander," Dorian grunted. "Didn't realize your face was made of iron. That's going to bruise."
But Nadir was laughing when Nyssa reached him. She spewed words at him that Dorian didn't catch, her hands pressing to his cheeks. Dorian eyed the Commander on the ground. Nadir touched his thumb to his bleeding lip, and then he grinned up at Dorian.
"The bastard does have you throwing boulders, doesn't he?" Nadir asked.
Dorian returned the grin, and he reached for Nadir's hand to pull him off the ground. They embraced each other as friends this time and clapped one another on the back.
"I hate both of you," Nyssa grunted.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
NADIR DIDN'T STAY with the pair long. He came only to check in. Having heard the Prince was at his home, he wanted to make sure it was true and that Nyssa was okay. He told them both they could join for lunch but left Nyssa with a kiss on her cheek.
Dorian eyed his sister as Nadir left. "What’s happening? Why is he not all over you now that you're back?" he asked in confusion.
"He's giving me space to find myself again," she replied.
"Oh fuck all, Nys," he grunted. "You obviously love him. Pretty obvious he feels the same. What’s the problem?"
"Look at me," she said, heart aching as she said it. "Between that and the new form... My needing to figure all this out... I just don't know that I can do it all and give him all of me as he deserves. I want to at least be able to control this form before I allow myself that spark of happiness."
Dorian considered her, arms wrapped around his chest. "Okay, come on." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door.
"What—Dorian—where are we going?"
"I'm going to help you control your form."
"Wait—“
But Dorian didn't listen. And he dragged her out of the house and onto the beach before she could protest.
The wind whipped Nyssa's hair around her head. Dorian ripped a piece of fabric off his shirt and handed it to her without her needing to ask. She used it to tie her hair up.
"Set up."
"Why do I need to set up?"
"Humor me."
And she almost laughed at the plea in his voice.
