Chapter 24:
Nikolai
Maverick drops us off at the villa.
I stretch my limbs, feeling the weariness of the past days settle into my bones. Being a four-star mage now, the mage tower has certainly increased my workload. But it's not like I have anything else better to do.
Valendor wastes no time heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Pots and pans clatter as he gets to work. He ropes Haroun into assisting him.
I snicker to myself at the thought of Valendor using a five-star swordsman as a meat tenderizer.
I decide to take a moment for myself and head to my room to freshen up. Warm water soothes my skin, washing away the dirt and grime of the journey. After changing into more comfortable clothes, I make my way to the kitchen.
The delicious aroma of cooking fills the air.
*
Two hours later, we're all getting ready to eat.
I notice Haroun strolling around the house shirtless. Again. The man is practically allergic to shirts.
Hunger gnaws at me. I decide to sneak into Valendor's kitchen to steal a piece of steak.
Just as I'm about to indulge, Haroun appears out of nowhere, trying to take a bite of my spoils. I attempt to evade him, but his swordsman reflexes kick in. He easily catches me.
"Hey, hands off!" I protest.
Too late.
"What's going on here?"
A cold voice freezes us both.
Oops.
We turn slowly.
A furious-looking Valendor glares at us, his eyes narrowing into daggers.
"We can explain—"
Vines wrap around both Haroun and me. They lift us into the air and send us flying out the window.
Good thing Valendor's deadly garden sits directly below. We manage to detangle ourselves and land somewhat gracefully.
We brush ourselves off and head back inside.
Valendor waits for us with crossed arms and a stern expression.
"Great, you're here. I'm done."
He says it curtly, as if he hadn't just thrown us out of the house moments ago.
So violent.
"What smells so good?"
A soft voice breaks the frozen silence in the room.
My heart skips a beat.
I turn around slowly, hardly daring to believe my ears.
There she is.
Standing there as if she never left. Wearing one of my shirts.
The sight of her takes my breath away.
We haven't had much time with the princess since her return. Sometimes I've wondered if my memories of her were real or just an exaggerated fantasy fueled by my emotions from a few years ago.
Now, seeing her again, all doubts vanish.
She's even more beautiful than I remember. My vague memories couldn't have done justice to her image.
A small smile plays on her lips. In this moment, it feels like I've fallen in love all over again. Every inch of her is familiar yet different.
I find myself unable to look away.
Valendor walks toward her.
I notice how he effectively towers over her now. He says something to her. She smiles back at him, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
The sight blinds me momentarily.
She opens her arms. Valendor steps forward and hugs her, lifting her off the floor in a warm embrace. They share a moment before he gently sets her back down.
She turns to Haroun. They exchange a few words before he, too, lifts her into his arms.
A twinge of jealousy twists in my chest. I hope he doesn't accidentally crush her delicate frame before I get a chance to hold her.
Haroun carefully places her back on the floor.
I realize I've been standing here dumbly the whole time. I must look like a complete fool—staring at her with wide eyes and probably a dumbfounded expression.
How embarrassing.
"Nikolai."
She says my name.
I swear it sounds even more beautiful coming from her lips.
My brain finally catches up. I realize she's standing there, looking up at me with amusement twinkling in her eyes.
"Won't you give me a hug? It's been over two years, after all."
Her voice is soft. Inviting.
My heart pounds in my chest as I reach for her, intertwining her arms with mine. Her warmth against me is overwhelming. A shaky breath escapes me.
"I don't think my heart can handle that right now."
My voice is barely above a whisper. It's true—my heart feels like it's going to burst with emotion, being this close to her again after all this time.
She opens her arms.
I can't resist the pull any longer.
I step forward and envelop her in a warm embrace. I feel her softness against me. I inhale her familiar scent.
A surge of boldness rises.
I wrap my arms around her legs and lift her up. Her legs instinctively wrap around my waist as she squeezes me just as tight.
I bury my face in her hair, inhaling deeply. Savoring the moment.
When I finally open my eyes, I'm met with the sight of open-mouthed Valendor and Haroun staring at us in disbelief.
I clear my throat.
I gently set her back down on the floor, trying to hide the obvious flush spreading across my face.
"Dinner."
My voice comes out slightly hoarse from the unexpected surge of emotions.
It's the only thing I can think to say. Trying to act as if nothing out of the ordinary just happened.