Chương 75: 075

Nikolas Something soft cradled me. Heat seeped upward, sinking into my aching bones until the pain dulled and my limbs felt weightless, as if I were floating on warmed clouds. A gentle pressure rested over my heart, just enough to anchor me without pinning me down. Consciousness hovered at the edge of reach, curiosity following close behind. I shoved them both away and burrowed deeper into the blankets. This was the best sleep I'd had in years, and I refused to wake for anything short of an emergency.

Before I could slip back into bliss, Time's voice drifted to me, amused and far too alert.

"Will you be waking to grace us with your presence and wit," he asked, "or shall we expect another few hours?" I pried one eye open, reluctantly kissing sleep goodbye.

"Everything hurts, and I'm more comfortable than I've been in months, so—" I froze. Dura lay inches from my face, eyes closed, features soft and unguarded. Each slow breath brushed my cheek. My gaze tracked downward, following the line of her arm to where her hand rested squarely on my chest. Time hummed when my complaint died unfinished.

"And a good morning to you as well." His eyes flicked pointedly to her hand.

"She was deeply concerned you might stop breathing overnight. I suggested this as a solution. I assumed you would not object?" Careful not to disturb her, I shook my head.

"I don't." Considering she'd done much the same the day before, when I'd needed to recover mana, it wasn't exactly unfamiliar. At some point, her legs had tangled with mine. The arm not anchoring my chest was tucked beneath her head. She slept like nothing in the world could touch her. It was far more intimate than I would normally dare with a stranger, especially a woman, but… it was nice. A dull pang lanced through my chest, and I held my breath against it. Hell.

How long had it been since I'd slept beside someone? Innocently or otherwise. The answer surfaced unbidden, sour enough that I grimaced and shoved the thought away. Long enough that I couldn't recall it without effort. Karma had complained often enough about how my work consumed me. Turns out she'd had a point. Pinned as I was, I stretched as best I could and murmured, "I'll thank her for worrying later." Without meaning to, my eyes drifted back to Time.

Dark shadows bruised the skin beneath his eyes, deep and purple, and exhaustion clung to him like a second skin. His expression gave nothing away, but he hadn't slept. Not really. Dura hadn't been the only one watching over me.

"Nikolas!" Time's shout echoed in my head, sharp with terror, his memory-self lunging toward the pit after me. My stomach twisted. I shoved the recollection aside.

"Sorry for worrying you," I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

"I didn't mean to. But I'm sure Karma told you, trouble just… finds me." His lips pressed thin and he nodded.

"She warned me of your fortune, or lack thereof. I freely admit I assumed she exaggerated." A humorless huff escaped him.

"More the fool was I. My wife does not invent hysteria. Not for matters such as this." Curiosity stirred, but before I could pry, Dura shifted with a sleepy mumble. I stilled completely, barely daring to breathe. Her brow furrowed. Her nose wrinkled. One eye cracked open. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Our gazes met, hers hazy and unfocused, mine suddenly far too aware. A heartbeat passed.

When she didn't react, I cleared my throat and offered a tentative smile.

"Good morning?" What was the protocol for waking up beside someone who'd spent the night afraid you'd die? Gratitude? Apology? Both? The fog in her eyes vanished in an instant. Relief tore across her face like fire through dry brush. She sucked in a sharp breath.

"Oh thank fuck, you're awake." Her grip tightened briefly on my chest before she seemed to realize it.

"Sorry for getting touchy, but I was worried you'd stop breathing on me." Guilt snapped at my heels, sharp and insistent. I shoved it aside and nodded.

"It's fine. I appreciate that you were concerned." She huffed, shifting away until she sat beside me instead of tangled together. Cold air rushed in to fill the space she left, brushing skin that still remembered her warmth. A shiver chased its way down my spine. She grunted, drawing my attention back.

"Show your appreciation by not making me go through that again, yeah?" Something firm edged the words, sharper than the humor implied. I tipped my head, lips quirking.

"I'll certainly try not to fall into any more magical pits of shadow. Or other situations involving certain death." I pushed upright, grateful for the chance to stretch fully, then froze when something soft shifted around my neck. Volpe grumbled in protest, disturbed from his nap as he wriggled deeper into my hood. I bit back a laugh and reached up to scratch behind his ears. Apparently, everyone had been worried. Once he settled again, Dura scooted closer, her shoulder nearly brushing mine.

Heat radiated from her, a steady furnace that chased away the lingering chill. I barely had time to register it before she scrubbed a hand down her face, her earlier smile fracturing.

"Hey," she said, quieter now.

"About snapping at you back there. When we were dangling. I'm sorry." I frowned, tipping my head.

"I don't follow. When did you snap at me?" I replayed the moment, her clipped tone, the strain in her voice as that thing had started climbing… Oh.

"Never mind," I snorted.

"I remember. And considering you were holding both our weight and couldn't even look down, I didn't take it personally." She scowled, mouth opening to argue, and I cut her off with a gentle nudge.

"It's fine. Everyone made it out alright. That's what matters."

"Out alright?" She lifted a brow, incredulous.

"You were damn near torn to ribbons, and that's what you call alright?" I shrugged.

"I've had worse." That, unsurprisingly, did not help. Her brow furrowed deeper as she shot a glance toward Time.

"He's joking, right? Please tell me he's joking." Time grunted, leaning back against a tree.

"He is not." A slow nod followed.

"And the more he speaks, the more I realize how difficult keeping him alive will be." The lines of exhaustion beneath his eyes deepened, aging him years in the span of a breath. I swallowed the retort that sprang to mind and hauled myself off the bedroll instead, stretching until my spine loosened.

"Yeah, yeah. Disaster magnet. I know," I muttered.

"Trust me, I don't need the reminder." Before they could spiral us off-topic again, I turned back to Dura and nodded.

"Thanks for letting me use your bedroll, by the way. My spine is eternally grateful." I stretched again for emphasis, smiling when no ominous chorus of pops answered. She shook her head, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.

"Starting to think you need it more than I do."

"I'm fine-." Her eye roll cut me off cleanly.

"New rule. You're banned from using the words fine and alright." Time's lips twitched, amusement flickering behind his eyes. I shot him a withering glare before refocusing on her.

"I'll live. Thomas doesn't have one either, and we don't have the time or resources to get some. If he can rough it, so can I." I'd be damned if the ancient embodiment of time, who wasn't even used to a mortal body, handled hardship better than I did. Absolutely not. She snorted.

"You talk like he's decades older than you." That was too good to pass up.

"Oh, he's ancient. Make no mistake." Time shot me a dirty look, all prior amusement evaporating. I grinned and leaned into it just a touch more.

"If that old man can sleep on the ground, I'll muddle through." He rolled his eyes, but Dura cut him off before he could respond.

"Well, neither of you will have to. Henry probably has a spare, Maya prefers cuddling with him anyway, and I'm making you one of your own." My attention snapped back to her, disbelief rising fast.

"You don't have to do that. I'll survive-." She stood, arms crossing as she loomed over me with a smirk.

"I am making you a bedroll. Don't argue. I'm not budging." The squared set of her shoulders and the firm line of her brow left no room for negotiation. Recognizing a lost battle when I saw one, I nodded.

"Well then… thanks." Something squirmed in my chest, just shy of discomfort. Off-kilter. Unfamiliar. Had anyone, aside from Karma, ever insisted on making sure I was taken care of? I searched through memory, already knowing the answer. No. No one had.