Chapter 23
~ NYSSA
I couldn’t speak.
My wrist hurt from where he grabbed me and my legs shook so violently that I knew trying to push off the wall would result in me falling over on my ass.
I’d gotten bored in my room after having dinner.
I tried to sleep but there was a dull throb in my back from where I’d been stabbed. The doctor had come to check on me and told me that I’d be healed soon. She said that because of the silver blade, it would take some time.
I only intended to take a walk and return to the room but I got lost and I saw this empty hallway. The unfinished work on the easel fascinated me because I loved to paint as well.
The original painter had a lot of skill but also… a lot of sadness. I could see it in the brush strokes and in the colors that were used.
I only wanted to touch it. I didn’t think I’d be grabbed and thrown back against the wall.
Rowan looked like an avenging angel as he towered over me, his light hair illuminated by the moon and his eyes nearly pitch black from rage.
For the first time, I saw him as he was, and not as the mating bond had displayed him in my vision. I saw the dark lines that creeped up his eyes and arms as he struggled to keep his lycan at bay, I also saw the numerous scars that littered his chest and arms through the opened buttons of his shirt.
The man in front of me was not a kind hearted lover, he was a brutal warrior… he was a king. Somehow, I hadn’t seen it due to the rose colored glasses the mating bond put over my eyes but the unrelenting grip of his hand against my wrist and the dull throb from the pain in said wrist and my back from where I was thrown was a steady reminder.
“What are you doing here?” he asked again, his voice an octave softer than before. “You should be in your room p>
I swallowed, trying to push to my feet. “I’ll head back now. I’m sorry p>
When I stumbled, he reached out to me and I couldn’t help it… I flinched.
A dark emotion crossed his face, but it was gone before I had the chance to analyze it. He shoved his hands into his pockets and stood up straight, his lips setting into a firm line.
“I’m sorry about the easel,” I said softly. “I won’t touch anything anymore p>
He opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it at the last minute. “I’ll walk you back to your room p>
I shook my head quickly. “I can find it p>
“Do you know the way?” he asked and I fell silent. He must’ve read the answer on my face because he sighed. “Come with me p>
I didn’t ask how he knew where my room was.
I knew he was there earlier.
We walked in complete silence and I made sure to keep my distance from him as I cradled my arm towards my chest.
Every few minutes, he’d glance over at me to make sure I was still following. My legs had stopped shaking from fear, but my heart still hammered in my chest and I was certain he could hear it because of how loud it was.
When we stopped at my room, I could have sobbed in relief. The tension in the air was so thick that spending one more minute in it would’ve killed me for sure.
“Thank you,” I muttered, quickly side stepping him. “Once again, I’m sorry about earlier p>
“Nyssa p>
I didn’t give him the chance to finish his sentence before I shut the door.
Outside, I could hear him breathing. I braced myself for the possibility of him slamming the door open. After all, it was his house and I’d just slammed the door in his face.
He stood there for a full minute before muttering something inaudible under his breath.
It was only when I heard his footsteps recede that I finally allowed myself to breathe and return to the bed.
I crawled in bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. The image of him standing in the moonlight and staring down at me with rage was permanently etched in my brain.
He only calmed down when he heard my voice.
I almost didn’t speak.
My lips didn’t work immediately.
I was frozen in shock from the mere sight of him.
What if he never figured out it was me?
I shivered at the thought, glancing at my wrist that was a bit swollen and red.
Whatever it was… I probably wouldn’t have survived it.
I woke up to the sound of knocking.
The sound jerked me out of a restless sleep and for a moment, I felt panic, thinking someone had come to finish me off. It was only when I heard a familiar voice calling out to me that I allowed myself to relax.
“Hi there,” the doctor smiled as I opened the door. “Were you asleep?” I nodded slowly. “I apologize for waking you. I have to check on the stab wound this morning p>
I nodded slowly, taking off my shirt so she could see my back.
She tried to chat with me, asking about my night and how I slept. Unfortunately, the only thing that came to my mind was Rowan, and that wasn’t something I wanted to share with her… not now.
“You’re healing nicely,” she said, wrapping the bandage around my stomach. “Have you gotten your wolf back p>
I shook my head. “Should I have p>
“There is no set time. She’ll be back once she’s fully healed. It could be today and it could be next week. Just try to stay relaxed, okay p>
I nearly snorted.
I doubted I’d be able to relax anytime soon.
“Here are some pills for you take after breakfast.” I reached out to take it from her when she gasped—a loud sound of indignation. “Who did that to you p>
Following her line of sight, my cheeks flushed a bright shade of pink.
The place Rowan grabbed me yesterday had turned into an angry purple bruise. I hadn’t realized he grabbed me this hard.
I snatched my hand back, shoving it behind my back but it was too late.
She’d already seen it and she was panicking.
“You have to tell the King!” she told me. “You are his guest. If someone attacked you p>
“It’s fine,” I began but she wasn’t hearing me. “It’s just a small p>
“Small?” she scoffed. “The King’s sister is on her way. The person responsible for this will be punished, I assure you p>