AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He nods gratefully, his hand tremors slightly as he takes the pills and swallows them down with a sip of water. He settles back into a more comfortable position, and I crawl in bed alongside him, curling onto my side, facing him.
I whisper softly, my voice carrying a soothing tone. “Our problems will still be there tomorrow. Rest and let your body recover.”
His hand intertwines with mine beneath the covers and I close my eyes, savoring the familiar scent of forest rain that brings me peace.
Chapter 43
The next morning, I am gently roused from my slumber by the soft whirring sound of the blackout curtains lifting up. The room gradually fills with light as I open my eyes.
Darian stands by the door to the bathroom, a towel in his hand. There’s a softness in his eyes as he watches me that makes my heart swell in my chest.
The bruises on his face have noticeably faded, their vibrant colors now muted and yellowed. The swelling that once marred his features has significantly subsided, allowing his natural contours to reemerge. The pallor of his skin, which was grey before, has regained a healthier hue overnight.
While the cuts and blisters still cover his body, they too show signs of healing. The angry redness has diminished, replaced by the early stages of the body’s reparative process.
It’s remarkable to witness how his wounds have begun to mend in such a short span of time.
“Good morning, Darian,” I greet him with a warm smile.
“Morning, Sunshine,” he whispers back with a slight wink before disappearing into the adjacent room.
The sound of the shower running becomes faintly audible, accompanied by the gentle rhythm of water splashing and cascading.
It’s like everything feels right again.
I rouse myself from the comfort of the bed and make my way to the kitchen. Aware that he may not have had a proper meal in a while, I set out to create a hearty breakfast, gathering the ingredients and start the preparation as Val watches me attentively.
As I assemble the food onto three plates, pausing as the sound of the bedroom door catches my attention. Darian’s silhouette emerges, dressed only in a comfortable pair of baggy grey sweats. His damp hair cascades loosely around his face, droplets of water still clinging to the strands.
With a gentle smile, he takes a seat at the counter, and moves to set one of the plates on the floor for Val, but freezes as I squeak, “Wait!”
I swing open the fridge, rummaging through its contents, a triumphant smile on my face.
Retrieving Val’s food, I pour a generous amount of maple syrup over his dish, ensuring that every piece is coated. I steal a quick glance at Darian, whose face is painted in pure amusement.
He chuckles softly before diving into his plate of food.
“So,” I say quietly, placing the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turning to face Darian.
“So,” Darian echoes, a smirk playing on his lips as he meets my gaze.
“Can you tell me what happened to you?” I inquire gently, knowing full well how much I hated being on the receiving end of this conversation.
Darian’s expression shifts, his face falling and his eyes growing distant.
I watch as his walls rise with maybe too much understanding.
Silence hangs in the air, stretching out for what feels like an eternity, and I’m about to tell him never mind when his voice breaks the stillness.
“They came to my cell to release me. I remember stepping out and feeling a sharp pain on the side of my neck. It was like my entire body went numb within seconds. When I came to, I was chained up, and Dolly was there. She injected me with somesubstance again and started asking questions about Caspian.”
Anger simmers within me, its flames licking at my thoughts. “I should have killed her,” I whisper through clenched teeth.
But Darian’s response catches me off guard.
He shakes his head, “No,” he says firmly. “Whatever my brother has in store for her, it is likely somethingworse than death.”
Chapter 44
