Page 134 of Nemesync
Niko chuckled, “Well, I find your definition of fun a bit morbid, Eli. Now Ben has to deal with that.”
I was still in a state of shock, but I didn’t know what to think.
We approached the cars; I couldn’t shake the feeling that the thin line between the life we’re trying to embrace and the darkness we’re trying to accept had just blurred a little more.
Elijah and Niko stood before me, lost in the night while sharing a cigarette. I was zoning out; I felt my mind dissociating to leave me alone in my head and rethink what just happened.
I should be shaken, possibly scared, right? But I felt none of it. I felt so worthy, to the extent that someone would kill for me.
He was not ashamed and called me his woman, in front of everyone.
So what? We were like together or something?
The night was cold and Elijah noticed the way I rubbed my arms to warm me up. He handed the cigarette to Nikolai, their conversation continuing, and removed his suit jacket to drop it over my shoulders. I gazed at him in silence, my mind still processing the gravity of what just happened. He still had some blood drops on his pretty face but was scared I might get sick.
Nikolai grinned at Elijah, “There’s no way you’re giving away your jacket like a true romantic hero.” He winked at me, before turning back to him, “Are you always like this with little Z? Damn, I can’t believe you are.”
Elijah let out a faint smile before pulling me closer by the shoulders and checking my pulse again. He turned to his best friend and said, “We’re going to head home. Text me when you arrive, Niko.”
Nikolai smiled, “I’ll text you, brother.” He turned toward me, giving me a gentle hug, “Have a good night, my favorite psycho couple.”
Couple, we’re a couple.
We made our way to the car; Elijah opened the door and closed it once I was inside. He joined me, and for a few seconds, silence hung around us.
“Zanae?” His voice asked, smooth as velvet.
There’s complexity in his expression, not regret, but an anticipation of how I’ll react. Maybe he’s concerned about my judgment, afraid that I’ll paint him as a monster. Is he insane? I’ll never judge him for that, never. I don’t see a monster; I see a man willing to make significant sacrifices for the ones he cares about. And he cares about me.
Am I crazy? I surely am.
He never judged me, even when I’d cry out of nowhere because he left his hands on my neck too long. Never when I just shut down to be alone.
He’s always here. Always.
In response, I delicately took his hand, placing it softly against my cheek, “Hey, I’m okay. And I still want to be here with you. I’m not scared of you.”
His hold on my face tightened, his eyes widened before softening again, green, so green.
“I should’ve stayed with you.”
He then smiled with a touch of sadness, as if he was a victim of something new to him.
“I’d kill anyone for you.”
My heart exploded, my soul screamed, and my heart felt better.
I felt alive in his hands, I felt everything and more.
He drove away from the castle through the beautiful night, and I turned to him. The soft glow of the moon highlighted his face that I loved to see so much, and I couldn’t help but speak. A tender and honest smile played on my lips, reaching for his hand, our fingers entwining, then I whispered, “You’re good to me, and I want you to know that I’ll never judge you, Elijah Volkov.”
His eyes widened again, a mixture of surprise, appreciation and understanding washing over his face. I just caressed his jaw and made my way back comfortably on my seat.
Music started to fill the car, my hand naturally finding its place on Elijah’s neck. His reassuring gaze, the soft melody weaving through my thoughts, and the beautiful world outside the window enveloped me in a sense of tranquility and quietude I never thought I’d feel outside of pain.
It’s been a while since I last tried to prove I was alive by watching the blood run through my veins. I haven’t cut myself in months.
Maybe, you’re healing Z.
