Aimilia quickly hurried into the tent to see Nikias. His eyes were fluttering again, and he didn’t seem fully awake, but he was softly muttering, “Amata?”
Aimilia’s heart hit the ground, scattering in pieces around her.
Chapter 37
AIMILIA
Aimilia couldn’t fault the guard, considering how frequently Nikias had used it before, and how open he’d been in his pursuit of her now. But she wasn’t the one he was calling for.
The one he was calling for was out of reach.
So Aimilia knelt at his side and said, “Nikias, are you awake? It’s Aimilia.”
Nikias’ eyes began to fully open. There wasn’t much light in the tent, but she could see when his gaze landed on her. It began to clear, but the haze wasn’t entirely gone, as he breathed out, “Amata.”
That blood loss had really done a number on him. Or maybe a rock had hit his head she didn’t know about. He was looking at her and seeing someone else entirely. He had to be.
Aimilia brushed a hand over his shoulder and said, “Nikias, what do you remember last?”
Nikias reached forward and cupped her cheek. His other hand found her arm and he ran his palm over the bandages wrapping the scratches Aimilia had accumulated earlier. Hesaid, “I remember… the landslide. You. I remember all I saw was you.”
Aimilia looked back over her shoulder; maybe she should call for one of the healers. How could he be talking like he thought she was both Faustina and Aimilia?
If the healers hadn’t even looked at his head for a head injury?—
Before she could open her mouth, he was gently tugging on her. “Were you injured?”
“Just a few scratches. You got the worst of it.”
She reached up and wrapped her hand around his wrist as her throat closed. He’d been so focused on protecting her, he hadn’t even thought to protect himself.
He smiled. “Good. If anything had happened to you…”
Aimilia started to pull back, ready to go get the healer, mostly because she wasn’t entirely certain Nikias did fully understand she was Aimilia and not Faustina. If he had head trauma, it was an easy mistake to make, especially considering they’d been talking about her before everything had happened.
But as she started to pull away, Nikias’ grip tightened. He pulled her down, surprisingly strong given the state he was in. “Stay. I’ll only believe you’re alright if you’re here with me.”
Aimilia was too startled to resist as he wrapped her in his arms. He pulled Aimilia’s head into his shoulder as he crushed her to himself, not even seeming to care about his injuries. Aimilia caught herself on his arm, fingertips brushing the bandages there. The blanket had slipped, falling under his arms and resting across his chest partially. Aimilia couldn’t see much given her position and the light. Nikias’ tight grip didn’t allow for her to go much of anywhere. Of course, she had replenished her vitae, so if she really wanted to leave, he couldn’t exactly force her.
“You need a healer. Your head?—”
Nikias cut her off. “I need you.”
Her breath caught in her throat. He had to be confused. “Nikias?—”
“Please, stay here in my arms where I know you’re safe. That’s what I need, you safe and here with me.”
It wasn’t the first time he’d confused her for Faustina. But this time it clawed into her in a way it hadn’t before. It hadn’t bothered her before, when he at first confused her for Faustina after Hypatia had tortured him. But now?
As he held her in his arms., all she wanted was for him to see her.
He’d been clear enough before. He wanted Aimilia. He didn’t need her.
There was only one woman in the world Nikias could ever need, and it would never be Aimilia.
But she stayed. His hand shifted, slowly moving up and down her back as he held her. Considering he’d saved her life, she supposed the least she could do was let him believe this dream was real, no matter how much it broke Aimilia’s heart.
Which it shouldn’t. Her heart should be completely and totally unaffected by the fact that Nikias was only saying this because he thought she was Faustina.
