Nik stared up at her, shadows veiling half his face. Sleep slid from his features in an instant, replaced by dawning clarity.
Night had long since fallen. Only two oil lamps and a few sputtering candles lit Katell’s room in a gentle haze. On the cot nearby, her sister slept on, undisturbed, her breaths deep and even.
The white wolf had slipped out once Alena returned, vanishing in search of food. The smaller grey—her silent escort from the gardens—had circled the room before curling beside the bed, ears flicking at every sound.
Nik sat up straighter, his gaze sweeping over her. “Well, look at you, all dressed up.”
Alena’s fingers tightened on the folds of her green chiton, suddenly hyperaware of the fabric against her skin. When a servant had offered fresh clothes and help dressing, she’d hesitated—until it became painfully clear she had no idea how to wear an Achaean chiton on her own.
“Queen Charis had an entire wardrobe sent to our room,” she rambled, smoothing the skirt beneath the bronze belt cinched at her waist. “I didn’t know what was appropriate, so… I picked green. One of the attendants showed me how to wrap it?—”
Nik waved her off with a lazy gesture. “You look great. Don’t overthink it.”
“Oh, thank you.” Then she narrowed her eyes, returning to her point. “Now stop dodging my question.”
Nik dragged a hand down his face as if trying to wipe away the exhaustion clinging to him. “I guess Leukos told you about the pact, then.”
The casual way he said it made her insides knot. How could he be so calm?
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper thick with disbelief. “Nik… You gave up yoursoul.” She searched his face, desperate for some sign that he understood the gravity of what he’d done—but he wouldn’t even look at her. “Do you even realise what that means?”
“I know exactly what it means.” He pushed himself to his feet, a weary sigh escaping him. “And you don’t need to worry about it.”
Her mouth fell open. “Don’t need to worry?—?”
“It’s my choice, Alena,” he interrupted his voice gruff. “It’s done. There’s nothing you can do?—”
“If you think I won’t touch that Mark on your arm so I can meet the North Wind and tell him exactly what I think of this soul-binding nonsense,” she shot back, emphasising each word, “then you clearly don’t remember me very well.”
Nik faltered, then his lips curled into a half-smile. “As much as I’d love to see you rip into that bastard, let’s wait until after the war—once Leukos has no more need of his magic.”
She shook her head. “His Gift is out of control. I tried to help him, but he won’t let me?—”
“Don’t let him use that as another excuse to wall himself off,” Nik cut in, clasping her shoulder. “He needs you, Red. More than you know.” He hesitated, his throat working before he added, “He’s been a miserable fuck without you.”
A fierce blush rose to her cheeks. “Really?”
Nik smirked. “Brooding night and day. But until he gains control of his Gift, he’ll keep pushing you away to protect you.” He squeezed her shoulder, giving her a pointed look. “Don’t let him.”
I don’t want to hurt you.
The words echoed through her, leaving a hollow ache in their wake. If distance was Leukos’ solution, then where did that leave her? Watching from afar while he came undone?
She stared at Nik for another beat, more questions on the tip of her tongue. Did he fear the pact? Did he feel different since? If he didn’t want to speak of it, she wouldn’t press—and truthfully, she had no answers to offer him yet.
She simply nodded. “Thanks, Nik. Get some rest—I’ll take it from here.”
Nik studied her face as if he could still see the turmoil beneath. Then he turned to the cot. “The fever’s broken, but the guards will be back soon. If anything changes…” His gaze shifted to the grey wolf curled at the bedside. “Send the wolf.”
“I will.”
Nik paused beside Katell, his expression softening. He reached out, brushing a knuckle down her arm—barely a touch, yet filled with quiet protectiveness that warmed Alena’s chest. She’d suspected, once or twice, that Nik’s feelings for her sisterran deeper than friendship, but now there was no mistaking it. It was written in the tender way he looked at Katell.
Alena found herself wondering how long it had been like this, and how much she’d missed.
Once the door closed behind him, Alena sank onto the stool, the wood creaking beneath her. The grey wolf padded over and sat beside her, tongue lolling. She absently ran her fingers through its soft fur, grounding herself in the simple rhythm as she watched Katell sleep.
Her sister’s complexion had improved—her cheeks no longer gaunt, the dark circles beneath her eyes faded. Even the tremor in her hands had stilled.
