As if the night couldn’t be any stranger. Not only had he invited her to be his companion at the royal family’s dinner, but he was at her door so late at night? What was he thinking?
Aimilia scrambled out of her chair and hurried to the door. She pulled it open, catching herself on it, looking up at Nikias inthe darkness. His black chiton and cloak made it hard to even see him in it. She kept her voice low. “What are you doing here?”
Nikias gestured to her room. “I’ll explain if you let me in. The longer you leave me standing out here, the more likely someone might see.”
There was a familiar echo to his words and she scowled at him as she backed away, letting him in the way he had once let her into his study when she’d come to him for help. That time before her graduation tournament felt like a lifetime ago. A short brief period where everything seemed perfect, at least for her. Those afternoons with Gavril and Nikias, where she and Nikias were united over something for once, sparring and planning, it all might as well have happened to someone else.
“You better have a good reason for being here,” Aimilia said as she shut the door behind Nikias, pressing herself against it.
Nikias stepped into her room, eyes quickly scanning over it. Not that there was much to see. Aimilia had some possessions, but nothing too extravagant. Finally, Nikias turned, casting a light rune and setting it to the wall to help illuminate the room. He said, “Of course I do.”
Aimilia crossed her arms. “Then get to it. If you don’t explain, I’m going to begin to think you’re here of your own volition just to see me.”
Something flashed in Nikias’ otherwise marble expression. “And what if I am? Is seeing you not a good enough reason?”
Aimilia let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Please, if you’re going to lie to me, at least make it a believable one.”
“I’m here because I need your help.”
Aimilia shook her head. “No, you don’t.”
Nikias blinked at her, lips twitching. He said, “And here I thought you would be crowing about your victory, finally hearing me say that.”
Aimilia pushed off the door with her foot. Her sandals had long been discarded and the soles of her feet pressed against the cold stone. “What could you possibly need my help for?”
Nikias shifted his head and said, “Well, to be more precise, Gavril needs your help.”
Her hand cut through the air. “Come on, you already used that one when you convinced me to come to dinner. How many times do you think that will work on me?”
Nikias raised an eyebrow, his words coming out bitter and biting. “You’re in love with him. It’ll always work on you.”
“And look where it got me.” Aimilia’s hands fell to her sides with a slap. “So much for what you said about Gavril finally proposing when he returned. Well, I suppose you weren’t entirely wrong, you were just wrong that it would be to me.”
“This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. This wasn’t my plan.” Nikias’ eyes fell to her bare wrist. “You know that.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter what either of us planned on now.” Aimilia crossed her arms again, burying it in the folds of her peplos.
“You can’t give up on him. You love him too much for that. And he loves you. How could he not? You—” Nikias cut himself off abruptly, instead just taking in a sharp breath.
When he didn’t continue, she asked, “Why do you care anyway?”
“Aimilia, there are no two people more furious about what has happened than the two standing in this room right now. You’re not the only one who lost when Gavril came through those gates with that she-wolf,” Nikias snapped, eyes burning as he took a step toward her.
Aimilia didn’t like that look in his eyes, but she wouldn’t be cowed. Her own fury held her in place. “And? It’s over. Don’t you see it was over the second Gavril caught that girl? Of course I’m furious, and of course I don’t want Gavril to just get awaywith this, but what am I supposed todo?” Her voice broke, but she had no tears left. She spoke more softly this time. “It doesn’t matter what excuses he gives to justify himself. It’s over.”
Nikias shook his head, and he stepped closer. Aimilia’s breath flew out of her lungs as Nikias said, “Not yet it’s not.”
“For you maybe!” Aimilia laughed.
He grabbed her arm and held her in place, green eyes dark as his voice lowered. “My brother brought back the wrong girl, a she-wolf who will be the greatest agony he will ever know. The demon who killed my wife got away and by now she’s married, and she’s getting the life she stole from me. All I have is a she-wolf who looks like her in my palace, taunting me with the same face that took my wife from me and laughed. Do you think I will ever know peace again?”
Aimilia couldn’t run if she wanted to. The intensity in his eyes wouldn’t let her. And… she didn’t want to.
“What are you proposing?”
“A way for us both to get what we want.” His other hand came up and held her by the other shoulder. There was something almost earnest in his voice as he said, “If you do this with me, I will give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”
Aimilia’s throat tightened as she whispered, “Gavril is the only thing I’ve ever wanted.”
