She couldn’t be serious. Nikias couldn’t trust a word she said right now. She was practically unconscious and delirious from pain. And even if she was serious, Nikias wasn’t going to stop. Until the proper healers got there, Nikias was going to do everything he could to take care of her.
She muttered, “After everything… Why are you still here?”
Despite the futility, Nikias tried to speak.
“Because I’m in love with you.”
Nothing came out.
“I can’t—” Aimilia let out another sharp, gasping noise full of agony. “I can’t—just let it be over.”
Nikias had no idea exactly what she was begging for. He looked up again as he finished on the second burn. Everyone was deathly still and silent, the crowd torn between watching Nikias and Aimilia and watching Queen Clelia, Commander Prisca, Cyprian, and what looked like a messenger from Areator off to the side.
The messenger was wearing black.
His mother’s face had gone alabaster white and ashen as her eyes widened.
“Let me go.”
Nikias looked down as Aimilia went completely limp in his arms, finally drifting unconscious. Her words ricocheted through Nikias’ core.
He looked up again. Nikias knew what they were hearing. His father was finally dead.
His eyes fell to the woman in his arms.
Had there ever been anything he ever touched and hadn’t left it in ruins in his wake?
Chapter 65
AIMILIA
Everything was a haze to Aimilia. She faded in and out. The only thing that was clear was the ache.
The only thing she remembered was darkness and vitae and pain. There were moments where she would blink and light would blind her. Voices echoed around her. She didn’t know what was real and what were her dreams.
Had Nikias really been there after the fight? Or was she just still so pathetic and lonely that she wished he was, even if it was just an act?
She didn’t want him. At least she didn’t want to still want him. Why couldn’t she just get it through her thick skull that the one she wanted didn’t exist?
How many times did she have to narrowly escape his trap before she’d finally learn the lesson? Aimilia still tasted dirt in her mouth. It was like she was forever being dragged across the rocks by Cyprian.
Until finally she blinked open her eyes against the blinding light, but instead of crashing back down, she kept blinking until her vision cleared. Aches coursed through her, but they weren’t quite as debilitating as before.
“—what do you mean—still asleep? Let me?—”
That voice. Aimilia knew it. Years she’d spent infuriated every time she heard it, but now it was carved into her bones.
Nikias.
“—just so—travel—healer—wake up in time—not to mention—scandal—bad enough—you understand.”
“—you’rethe reason—I could have you?—”
“—personal, Your Highness. I—do what’s best for Mitis—best for—one—distasteful, I understand—no pleasure—necessary—according to plan.”
Plan?
What plan were Cyprian and Nikias talking about?
