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Everything he said felt like half-truths and codes for something he won’t tell us. But every attempt at getting him to spill the fucking beans had him reiterate that he wouldn’t talk to anyone but Cia, who he insisted we shouldn’t wake up since she needed rest. Not that I think we could, especially after he gave her something to make sure she slept through the night before leaving.
If you ask me, it’s too fucking late to pull the doctor-patient confidentiality card. But no amount of threats made him bend, and in the end I gave up trying to force him. Having known Abel all my life, I know he’s old school and if he says he’ll only tell Cia, then that’s what he’ll do—and he’ll go to his grave without compromising. Stubborn old bastard.
My heart flips as Cia moves slightly, groaning while pulling at her hand. Although I’m reluctant to let go, I do. “Good morning,” I croak, my voice hoarse from all the shouting. “How are you feeling, Cia?”
Liam and Kai quickly sit up, murmuring words of relief that she’s finally awake.
“I’m okay,” she says, her voice husky from not being used for so many hours. She moves around like she’s trying to sit up, which, admittedly, is hard with all of us crowded in the bed. Laughing softly, she looks between us. “You need to get out of my way so I can go pee.”
The relief I thought I’d feel when she finally woke up is nowhere to be found. She’s acting too normal, and I don’t like that one bit. Fuck, does she not remember that her dad is dead? If whatever Abel gave her to sleep has messed with her memory, I’ll fucking kill him.
I know firsthand how hard it is to go through the death of a parent, and no one should have to go through that twice—let alone thrice. If Cia has forgotten the events of last night, and with Alexander faking his own death, this will be the fourth time.
Fucking hell.
“Umm… does she not remember?” Liam whispers, echoing my thoughts.
Kai looks stoic as he freezes while getting out of bed. “I’ll go get Abel,” he growls. After throwing on a sweater and slacks, he tosses over his shoulder. “Make sure she’s dressed.”
While Kai goes to get Abel from the guest room next to our bedroom, Liam and I silently get dressed. When Cia emerges from the bedroom, she looks even paler than she’s been lately, but other than that she looks normal.
“Abel’s here?” she asks before heading over to the dresser where she immediately pulls clothes out.
I’m completely fucking stupefied and one look at Liam confirms he’s the same.
“Agápi,” he almost fucking croons his name for her. “Aren’t you… I mean…” Yep, he’s faring as well with his words as I’d be if I opened my mouth.
Not caring about being delicate, I blurt out, “Why are you acting so normal? Don’t you remember what happened yesterday?”
Cia buttons her black jeans and the blood-red shirt she’s chosen. The only sign that she isn’t as composed as she’s trying to appear, is a small shake in her hands.
“I remember,” she says softly, and her bottom lip trembles ever so slightly. “My dad is dead. Again.”
Where I expected her to fall apart, she’s standing strong.
“I heard you guys, so I know you’ve spent all night watching over me. And I know you’re worried. But you have nothing to worry about, because I’m fine. More than fine. I knew it was coming and…” her voice wavers slightly. “I’ve already said goodbye to my dad once. I’m finding it hard to be sad about his death this time.”
Wow, that… that’s not the reaction or words I thought were coming. But it makes a sick kind of sense. I, too, was sad the first time Alexander died. This time I’m more angry, if I’m being honest. The fucker took my dad from me, and then he remained tightlipped about anything else. I don’t care what his reasons were, nothing can convince me he wasn’t shielding the truth because he’s a fucking coward.
Out of respect for Cia, I merely nod. Choosing to keep my colorful words about Alexander the not-so Great to myself.
“Is there anything we can do, agápi?”
At Liam’s question, Cia walks over and wraps her arms around him. “No, Liam.” She nuzzles into his embrace. “Having you here is all I need.”
When I restlessly move my foot, she turns and looks at me.
“Both of you. All of you. You’re all I need.”
“What about you know…” Unable to find a tactful way to word my question, I trail off and try to backtrack. “It doesn’t matter.”
“You were going to ask about the funeral arrangements, weren’t you?” Cia asks softly. “I guess I don’t know. He wasn’t the Leader, so can he even be placed in the Necromanteion?”
Liam clears his throat and runs his hand through his dark hair. “If you and Gus are the only ones left, isn’t the choice yours?”
Cia shakes her head and bites her bottom lip. “I don’t know,” she ponders out loud. “Morgana should have a say. And… wait… the Tribunal. Kai and Ana spoke about them. So I guess they’re in power now.”
Wait, a fucking minute. This is the first I’m hearing about this. Yeah, sure, we were a bit fucking busy with Cia fainting and whatnot. But you’d think it’s something Kai could have found the time to mention when we spent all night watching over our woman.
