"No," I shake my head, swallowing hard. "You are very thoughtful. I appreciate you, Hani." My hand flies from beneath the water and captures one of hers in mine. I squeeze and she reciprocates. Silent encouragement. She's here with me. She sees me.
"I am engaged," I say. "What if he sees me and…"
When I trail off, Hani releases my hand. Her stool scrapes against the tile and she circles around to kneel where she and I can be face-to-face. She slides a gentle hand down my cheek, swiping my tears. "This man. He loves you?"
Atlas' love for me has never been a question. I nod, my bottom lip quivering.
"Scars will not change how he sees you. All he will care about is having you back in his arms." A seriousness washes over herface. "If a man leaves his woman over battle scars, he lacks honor. We do not weep unworthy men."
There isn't a doubt in my mind that Atlas will be relieved to see me. Hani is right. I survived. I'm healing. And one day, I will have my revenge.
Once I've carefully scrubbed my body, Hani helps me dry before applying ointment across my skin. It soothes the itch from the healing burns and I'm grateful for her care. She has a fresh set of clothes for me, similar to her own. It seems the style in the secret desert kingdom is lightweight, flowy, and light colors. This layered look is similar to my first, except this outfit is a sunset orange. Hani styles my hair with a few braids scattered amongst my loose flowing locks.
She presses her ringed hands to my shoulders as we look at my reflection in the mirror. "Beautiful."
For the first time since Ronan's wedding, I feel like myself again.
"Now, let's go see your friend."
I leap to my feet, instantly regretting the swift movement. I hiss in pain, but wave Hani off when she attempts to grab me. "I'm fine. Just no sudden movements."
She nods with a warm grin. "No sudden movements."
Together, we leave my room and make our way down a wide hallway a couple doors down. She raps her knuckles against the wood twice before swinging the door open.
I gasp when I see Nyx. He has managed to kick all his covers off and is lying on his side shirtless with similar beige loose-fitting pants I had on earlier. There are wounds on his chest, his face, and I know there are some on his back I can't see from this angle.
Slowly, I tip-toe my way to the other side to get a look at his back. There are bandages across the slashes Vesper inflicted. A ball of a thousand emotions lodges in my throat. I throw ahand over my mouth in attempts to harbor whatever gasps and whimper try to escape.
A tear slips down my cheek watching him breathe. "Oh, Nyx," I whisper.
"Kitarni?" He says groggily, groaning as he turns over on his back.
"I'm here, Nyx," I claim the seat by his bedside and snatch his bruised hand in mine. I squeeze harder than I've ever squeezed someone's hand. Partially to make sure he knows I'm here, but partially so I know he's real and I'm not dreaming this experience from a desert grave. "I'm here, Nyx."
His eyes slowly blink open. The slash down the right side of his face is beginning to heal but not fast enough. He must be having trouble with his magical strength too. I have to do something, so I place my free hand to his cheek and infuse my power to heal him. A glow lights his face and Hani's mouth falls open in wonder, but she doesn't say anything. Slowly, his face stitches together and once the wound is closed, I release him. I've drained myself once again and will need to recoup to my full-strength.
"That felt weird," he teases, coughing. "How bad is it?"
"You're still the most handsome man I know," I smile, though it pains me to see him like this. "Ladies love a good scar."
Nyx's face drops and he swallows a lump in his throat. He attempts to smile but fails. "I hope they love loads of scars then." He stares down at his chest and my stomach twists.
"That was impressive." A male voice from the doorway echoes, drawing our gaze.
Standing beside Hani are a male and female I feel like I know but can't quite place. The harder I stare; it finally hits me. These were the two sand wielders who rescued us last night and desolated Drogon's forces.
"I know you," Nyx struggles to sit up, so I help him. His eyes haven't left Hagar for a second. "You're real. I thought I imagined you."
"Did you mean to say that out loud?" Hagar asks, arms folded across her chest. She's wearing a cream color that highlights her brown eyes and skin perfectly. She looks exactly like Hani, except her hair dangles just above her shoulders and she doesn't don as much jewelry. There's a dragon tattooed on her breastbone, and it matches Helios' in the same spot. Their tattoos must be akin to Frost Elves dragon rider tattoos.
Nyx stammers, "Sorry. I didn't mean to be weird."
"Don't apologize," Hani swats Hagar's arm. "She's just grumpy." She smiles at him. "It's nice to see you awake. Your coloring has returned."
"Yes," Hagar agrees. "You aren't pale now."
Hani sighs, as if she's lost all patience. "Forgive me, introductions aren't our strong suit," Hani places a hand to her chest. "I'm Hani Naziri. This is my brother, Helios, and my sister, Hagar. They're twins."
