Was that all it took?
Nikias lost track of her, but he did spy Ovidius and he supposed he ought to say something.
Nikias cleared his throat, and Ovidius looked up from his wine glass that was still completely full. He murmured, “Your Highness.”
Nikias said, “I’m sure you’re sick of hearing it, but I’d like to offer my condolences.”
Ovidius said, “I appreciate it, especially from you, Your Highness.”
Nikias said, “I know it may not mean much to you now, but I’ve had those handlers fired. They should never have let that cerberus anywhere near the competitors.”
Ovidius shook his head. “She knew the risk. But… there was something off about it. We should have been able to save her.”
The man was right, but Nikias couldn’t let this spiral. “Some wounds are too great, even for our greatest healers. Not everyone can be saved.”
Ovidius dropped his head, wincing. “Right. My apologies, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a long time. You don’t have to fear referencing it. I’m one of the only people here who understands what you’re going through.”
“I appreciate that. I can’t imagine it ever getting easier. She was my wife. How can I continue on without her?” There was a moment of silence. Finally, Ovidius looked up at Nikias and whispered, “How do you do it?”
It certainly wasn’t easy…
“You find something else to live for.”
“How?”
Now that Nikias didn’t have a good answer to.
For far too long his had simply been revenge. And it had destroyed him and everything he touched. But now…
Nikias scanned the crowd briefly, but he couldn’t find the one shock of red hair he was looking for. “Sometimes it finds you instead.”
Ovidius looked down at his glass again. “I just can’t see it. Eleni was special. She was everything.”
Nikias’ heart constricted in his chest.
Faustina had been everything to him until she’d been nothing.
“I loved her.” Ovidius’ voice cracked. “She loved me.”
Nikias didn’t know if it was a blessing or a curse, that when he’d buried Faustina he’d been under no delusions about her feelings.
Was it better to bury the wife who loved you or the one who hated you?
At first, Nikias had been convinced one way, but now?
Nikias could see things a little clearer. Maybe he didn’t understand this man’s position at all.
Nikias was free from Faustina. Her death had given him a second chance. He couldn’t waste it.
“I know you can’t see it right now, but it will get better.”
Ovidius shook his head. “I find that hard to believe. But that doesn’t surprise me that you would say that, Your Highness. Faustina was right about you.”
Nikias’ stomach swooped. He turned his full attention back to the man, now no longer looking for Aimilia in the crowd. A ghostly hand wrapped around his heart and squeezed.
“What are you talking about? What did she say about me?”
