Page 36 of Broken Embers

“What?” Oleksi’s brow furrows.

“When I was in the RMSAD detention center, I was watched all the time,” I tell him and see him quickly school his features but it’s too late. I saw the flicker of anger over the indignity I had to suffer. I swallow. “But, I don’t want to speak about it.” I look into his eyes as we step into the cottage that is being warmed by fires started in the many fireplaces around the large cabin. “If you don’t mind.”

Oleksi’s eyes search mine and he nods. “When you’re ready, we are going to talk about it though,” he tells me. “Because I have a lot to tell you too.”

My eyes widen. “Have you found Tara?”

“I…” His jaw clamps. “No.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, baby, but I was so hell-bent on finding you…”

“It’s okay,” I smile as he leads me through to our room at the back of the cabin.

“This is us.” Oleksi pushes the door open.

We step in and there is a large wooden bed in the center, two nightstands flank it with lamps on each. A dresser lines the wall beside the door, and there’s another door open where I can hear water running so it’s not hard to guess where that leads to.

“It’s not fancy,” Oleksi says. “But it’s practical.”

“Compared to my accommodations for the past five days, it’s like a five star hotel,” I tell him.

“Aren’t you going to ask me about your mother?” Oleksi asks as I head for the bed to test it.

I stop beside it and turn toward him. “Yes, I want to know about my mother.” Of course I do. “Did you find her?” My heart lurches.

“We did,” Oleksi replies and I breath a sigh of relief. “We found her with my aunt, Nikolas, and Mark at…” He stops and frowns. “Sabrina… you mother…”

I hold up my hand to stop him. I have a feeling I know what he’s going to say and I’ve had the fact that my entire life was built on lies rammed down my throat for five days. I just want some time. Just a couple of hours to process it without having to be on high alert all the time. Without having to pretend indifference to having my world blown apart or being constantly tested, questioned, watched, judged.

“Not tonight!” I lower my voice. “Please, Oleksi not now.”

He gives me a tight smile and nods. Before I can say more there’s a light knock and the door which is still open.

We turn to find Nadia and Valeska standing there. Nadia has a small bag in her hand that she holds out to me.

“Shit the bath,” Oleksi mutters and rushes to the bathroom.

“Sorry, I know we’re not the same size, but Valeska is more your height and build,” Nadia says.

“So Nadia packed some of my clothes she has for you,” Valeska tells me. “Just some nightwear, clean clothes.”

“I bought you fresh underwear and a new toothbrush, hairbrush, deodorant, and other girlie products,” Nadia tells me.

While I’m standing there staring at the two women who were instrumental in getting me freed from the hellhole before I can control it and to my sheer mortification, I burst into fucking tears—again!

“Oh, no, baby…” Oleksi is by my side in a flash and glares at the two women. “Look what you’ve done.”

Nadia just rolls her eyes at him, steps past him and pulls me into her arms, holding me close. “It’s okay.”

“No…” I sniff and find the more I try the harder it is to control the fucking things.

“Stop it,” Oleksi growls at Nadia. “Maybe you should go, you’re upsetting her.”

“Oh, stop it,” Nadia snaps at him, making me laugh through the tears at the looks on his face being snapped at by her. “It’s her hormones you fool. I’m not upsetting her.”

“I think, what Nadia is trying to say,” Valeska gives Oleksi a smug smile, “is that Sabrina being upset is all your fault.” Her grin broadens. “After all, you’re the one who got her pregnant.”

My eyes widen as I stare at them then look accusingly at Oleksi.

“Don’t look at me.” He holds up his hands defensively. “I have no idea how Nadia knew.”

---