Page 38 of Twisted Vows

When we finally pulled up to the modest brick building, I took a steadying breath, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. Malachi cut the engine, and the sudden silence was deafening. We got out and paused for a second, staring at her building. Doubt threatened to keep me immobile, but when he took a step forward, it broke my paralysis.

The climb up the narrow stairwell exacerbated my dread. I wasn’t sure if she’d even talk to us, or if she’d say something that would permanently end all hopes of being with her. Malachi’s broad shoulders brushed against mine in the confined space.

At last, we reached Nika’s door. Malachi raised his fist, hesitating for a fraction of a second before rapping his knuckles against the worn wood.

The muffled sound of footsteps approached from within, and my pulse quickened. The door swung open, and there she stood, her silvery-blonde hair tousled, her eyes red. She’d obviously been crying.

For a long moment, no one spoke. Nika’s gaze flickered between us, a tempest of emotions swirling in those azure depths. Anger, hurt, and confusion all warred for dominance. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice low and guarded. “What do you want?”

Malachi opened his mouth, but I stepped forward, cutting him off as the words virtually exploded from me. “We need to talk.” I kept my tone level, betraying none of the turmoil churning within me. “Please.”

Nika’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, I feared she would turn us away, but then, almost imperceptibly, her shoulders sagged, and she stepped back, leaving the door ajar.

An invitation, however reluctant.

We entered the dimly lit apartment, and I braced myself for a chilly reception. Nika crossed her arms over her chest, regarding us with a wary gaze. “Talk.”

I drew a fortifying breath, searching for the right words. “What happened with Levon...” My voice faltered, and I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. “We never intended to steal your closure from you.”

Malachi shifted beside me, his presence a solid, reassuring weight. “You have every right to be angry, but you need to understand that we did what we thought was best to protect you.”

Nika’s eyes flashed, and she opened her mouth, no doubt to unleash a torrent of fury, but then, something in her expression shifted, and the fight seemed to drain from her. She sank onto the battered sofa, burying her face in her hands. Her shoulders trembled, and the soft sound of a muffled sob broke the silence.

Malachi and I exchanged a helpless glance, our earlier bravado evaporating in the face of Nika’s raw anguish. Slowly, I crossed the room and lowered myself onto the cushion beside her. Tentatively, I reached out, brushing my fingers against the silken strands of her hair. She flinched at the contact but didn’t pull away.

“Nika...” My voice was little more than a ragged whisper. “We never wanted to hurt you.”

She raised her head, and the sight of her tear-stained cheeks lanced straight through my heart. “But you did,” she said, her words laced with a pain that cut deeper than any blade. “You took something from me that I can never get back.”

Malachi moved to kneel before her, his expression etched with regret. “I see now that we shouldn't have made the decision for you, but please don't push us away because of this. We're here for you if you'll let us be. We’re not going anywhere, so please give us a second chance.”

A tremulous breath escaped her lips, and she lifted her gaze to meet mine, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “How can I trust you again?”

The question hung in the air, heavy and damning. I had no answer or platitudes to offer. All I could do was lay myself bare before her, exposing the raw truth. “I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice rough with emotion, “But we’ll spend every day proving ourselves to you, if that’s what it takes.”

Her lips parted, as if to speak, but no words came. Instead, she reached out, her slender fingers curling around mine in a grip that spoke volumes.

The weight of the world seemed to lift from my shoulders with that simple touch. It wasn’t forgiveness yet, but it was a start.

For now, that was enough.

Chapter Eighteen – Nika

I stared at Rurik and Malachi, sitting side by side on my couch, both the picture of misery as they awaited my next words. Their faces were etched with concern, eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race. Invisible tension permeated everything.

As I studied them, the anger that had consumed me mere hours ago began to dissipate, replaced by a strange sense of relief. In the heat of the moment, fueled by rage and a thirst for vengeance, I had wanted nothing more than to make Levon suffer, to watch the life drain from his eyes as I exacted my revenge, but now, with the horror of the situation fading, I realized I didn’t truly want that stain on my soul.

A shudder ran through me as I contemplated the line I had teetered on the edge of crossing. Malachi and Rurik had stopped me from becoming a monster, from surrendering to the darkness, and for that I was grateful, despite the lingering resentment that still simmered beneath the surface. I didn't appreciate them making the choice for me, but I understood now why they had done so. They had real, tangible experience with that darkness and didn't want me to join them in its depths.

Rurik shifted in his seat, his gaze never leaving me. The muscles in his jaw twitched, a subtle sign of the turmoil raging within. Malachi, on the other hand, remained perfectly still, his expression a mask of stoic resolve, though I could see the storm brewing behind his eyes.

Drawing a deep breath, I broke the silence, my voice steadier than I had expected. “I didn’t want to kill him.” I paused to take a deep breath. “Not really.”

Malachi’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, but he remained silent, allowing me to continue.

“In that moment, consumed by rage and pain, I’d wanted nothing more than to make him suffer.” I paused, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. “Now, with a clear head, I realize I couldn’t have gone through with it.”

Rurik nodded slowly, his gaze softening ever so slightly. “We knew that, dorogaya. That’s why we intervened.”

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