Page 73 of Power's Fall

Everythingexcepther impending marriage.

Grigoris had stepped out at some point, but now he stuck his head in, retreated for another moment, then returned wearing a fresh surgeon’s gown, gloves, and a mask. Elena smiled at him for remembering the protocol.

Grigoris went first to Nyx, sliding an arm around her. For a moment, they molded together, becoming one, a single unit. The corners of Grigoris’s eyes crinkled as he smiled down at his wife.

Nikolett looked away, envy making her throat tight.

“We know how they got the bear trap into the garden,” Grigoris said. “It was placed by a drone.”

“A drone? It was a heavy metal animal trap, how could a drone lift that?”

“It was a big drone. The type they’re talking about using to deliver packages. It hovered high enough that our aerial cameras didn’t see it, and then used what looks like a retractable line to lower the trap into the garden. We have video showing the trap being lowered, but it was fast, and the way the security system is programmed…”

Nikolett tried to listen, but that floaty feeling was making it hard.

She tuned back in when Nyx spoke. “Because the trap only appeared on camera for a few seconds, the security system identified it as a bird and didn’t issue an alert?”

“Basically,” Grigoris confirmed. “We’re recalibrating it right now.”

Nyx turned to Nikolett. “It’s time to have the Spartan Guard come and test our defenses again.”

Grigoris sighed but nodded. The fact that he couldn’t figure out who was behind this was eating at him. Nikolett had accepted that her radical overhaul of the territory, which included dismantling the psychotic former admiral’s various corrupt networks, had made her some enemies among her own people. Eventually, they’d find who was responsible. Hopefully Nikolett was still alive and had all four limbs when that happened.

Nyx rubbed Grigoris’s arm, and he leaned into her touch, their faces turning toward one another, seeking and offering comfort.

“Grigoris, Nyx, step out please.” The words were out before Nikolett could think them through.

They both whipped around, Grigoris’s look assessing, while Nyx’s was suspicious.

“Admiral, is something wrong?”

Yes. With her.

“I need to speak to Elena alone,” she said.

Grigoris and Nyx exchanged a look once more before exiting the office.

“Are you hurt somewhere else?” Elena was still bent over her leg, hands moving in a practiced, rhythmic way as she sutured. “I told you, there’s a reason they cut off clothes in an emergency room.” Nikolett’s pant leg was gone, thanks to Elena’s deft work with scissors, but she’d put her foot down and stopped them from stripping her naked.

“No. I just needed them to go away.” Some part of Nikolett winced at what she was saying, but she was tired, drugged, and…

And heartbroken.

“Uh, do you think…did one of them do it?” Elena’s eyes were wide as she looked at Nikolett. “I know I’m aharco, but I don’t think I can win a fight against either of them.”

“No, you couldn’t. Nyx fights dirty, and Grigoris is exactly as deadly as you think he is. But you don’t have to because they didn’t do this.”

“Thank God,” Elena breathed. “Then why did you need them to go away?”

“Because they’re in love, and they’re a couple.”

Nikolett needed to shut up. She also needed to stop crying because now the hair at her temples was wet and one tear had even slid to her ear, tickling it. Scrubbing her face with her hands, she swallowed hard.

“I’m sorry,” Elena said softly. “And I’m almost done. Once I get you into bed, I’ll get that IV in. I want to hang fluids, and I’ll give you something more for the pain. That will help you sleep too.”

Hands still over her face, Nikolett nodded. Tomorrow, she’d be back to normal. Tomorrow, she’d be able to compartmentalize everything.

Tomorrow, she wouldn’t be sickeningly jealous of Nyx and Grigoris.

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