by Alta Hensley
The inside of the bedroom they entered was surprisingly impressive, with its antiques and brocade covered furniture. Along the back wall, Cinder took in the fireplace looming over a large canopy bed. A thick layer of dust had settled everywhere, but the room seemed inviting. Nico walked over to a red velvet couch and gently set Cinder down. He went to a closet and pulled out a blanket and pillow. Without saying a word, he came back over, positioned the pillow behind Cinder's head, and covered her with the blanket.
He rubbed his palms together. "First thing's first. Let's get a fire going and warm up this room."
Cinder pulled the blanket up to her chin, shivering. "I think that's a great idea." She couldn't help but smile as she watched Nico quickly go about starting a fire. He struck the flint and stone with expertise, feeding the small curl of smoking dry tinder until he soon had a small blaze going. Although she still shivered beneath the blanket, just listening to the crackle and pop of the friendly little fire made the room seem much warmer.
"I'm going to see about finding us something to eat," Nico said as he wiped his hands on his pants and stepped outside.
There seemed to be enough wood for a few days, she thought as she examined the woodpile. No wonder Nico chose this place. It would keep them warm for awhile. Might even last a week. Cinder grinned. She could find Maysa and the rest of the harem, and stay here for a while.
The doorknob rattled and then the door opened. Nico juggled a tray in one hand while he pulled the door closed with his other hand. "There's a large pantry in the kitchen," he said. "It was pretty well stocked with cans. I made us some beans and corn."
Cinder's stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten much in a couple of days. No doubt adding to her weakened condition.
Nico set the tray on the couch next to her. Along with plates, there were also two glasses of red wine. Her mouth suddenly dry, she picked up one of the glasses and sipped the delicious liquid.
"Wine is one of the few things that actually gets better with age," he said with a grin.
"I can't believe you found wine!" She reached now for the fork, shoveling a mouthful of beans into her mouth, the flavor dancing across her tongue.
"Wine is easy to come by," he replied matter-of-factly.
"What?" She must have heard him wrong. Or the wine already had her ears buzzing.
"I've gotten pretty good at being a scavenger," he said with obvious pride and complete acceptance. "Survival is a tricky thing."
After about thirty minutes of eating and drinking in silence, Cinder couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Nico?"
Nico settled onto the couch on the other side of the tray. "Yes?"
"Thank you."
He lifted his fingers to her right temple and pushed back a lock of her blood-soaked hair. Lightly, he ran his fingertip along a cut on her head. "We just need to get you back on your feet. That bastard could have killed you."
"I know," she breathed, as the realization almost made her ill. "I’ve never killed anyone before."
He leaned over the tray and cupped her chin. "You had no choice. You shouldn't have been in the commune to begin with. There are some people remaining here, but it's not what you think. It's ruthless. Deadly. Those who remain are some of the worst examples of mankind."
"Then why are you here?”
"I'm stockpiling. I have a bigger plan in store. Trust me, when I can, I'll leave and never look back." He took a large gulp of wine and poured both of them some more.
Her temple pounded now, but she was trying her best to hide it from Nico. He had worried enough. "What plan? Where are you going? Are you going alone?"
He patted her leg. "Another story for another time. You need to finish eating so you can get some rest. I still plan on making you leave this commune as soon as you are able."
"Why didn't you leave with everyone else?"
He shrugged. "And go where? The world is drying up one commune at a time. I'm done being a nomad. I need to find a way to survive with what Mother Nature has left us."
"Scavenging off ruins?"
"Finish eating," he pressed.
"Maybe you don't have to be alone. Maybe we found each other for a reason." Her eyes were growing heavy. Exhaustion and wine were a deadly mix.
"That's the wine talking," Nico said, smiling.
Her face flushed. "The prince will get Lazar back," she said, defending her stance. "You could come back with me and the rest of the harem. They'll be grateful that you helped us return. There’s a reason we met. Maybe it’s because you are supposed to be with us all along."
“Eat,” he said simply.
“I’m serious,” Cinder continued to push.
"Maybe you're right," he said.
Cinder stared at him in surprise. She hadn't expected him to admit to it so easily.
"There was a reason we found each other," he added. "So you don’t get raped and killed."
Tears of frustration threatened to escape Cinder's eyes. Why was the man so stubborn? "You aren't being honest. You don't want to live as a bottom feeder," she said.
His jaw clenched. "Are you all done?" he asked as he removed the tray.
"I need to find the girls," she slurred. "And I need a plan."
"It's time you get some rest. I’m pretty sure you have a concussion and your body took a beating and needs to recoup," he directed, as he picked her up and carried her to the bed.
She closed her eyes and sighed. "They're out there alone right now."
"Cinder—"
She pressed her fingers over his lips. "I know, I know. Get some rest. I will. But promise me something."
"If it means you finally quieting your mind and body to heal… anything," he teased.
"That if I fall asleep, you'll be here when I wake up."
He pulled the blanket up to her chin and tucked her in. "I promise."
14
Cinder let out a shuddering breath as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Gaunt would be an understatement. She hadn't realized how filthy she was. Grateful for the basin of water she found in the bathroom, she smiled knowing Nico had found it somewhere for her. It wasn't the cleanest, and certainly not drinkable, but it would make do to clean herself with.
Nico was asleep in the other room, so Cinder was careful not to wake him, even though she wanted to thank him profusely. The man confused her. One moment he was closed and short, and the next he was devoted and kind.
Her silk wrap was almost black with grime. Bloodstains covered most of the fabric. Suddenly, she was desperate to remove every inch of the item, attempting to erase the horrible memory of nearly being raped. She shed her clothes and let them fall to a disgusting heap on the floor. Wrapping herself in a towel, she decided to figure out her clothing situation later. For now, she just wanted to feel clean.
She stared in the mirror once again. Her once bouncy waves hung heavy and were caked with dried blood, a mixture of hers and the man she’d killed. She let out a sigh and picked up a washcloth as she proceeded to give herself a sponge bath. Once she was through with her body and hair, she went about trying to wash her clothes. The process took longer than expected; using up what little energy she had left. She hung her clothes over a hook to dry, walked over to the sofa and sat down, exhausted. She leaned back against her seat and closed her eyes for a brief moment, before taking in a deep breath and allowing herself to relax. Feeling an odd sensation, she opened her eyes to find Nico staring at her with annoyance painted all over his face.
"You shouldn't be out of bed," he said as he crossed his arms across his chest.
"What? I…uh…" Cinder couldn't get a clear sentence out. "I needed to clean the blood off. I'm fine."
His eyebrow shot up. "Really? You don't look fine to me. You should be resting and instead you overdid it and pushed too far." He reached for a blanket and placed it over her nude shoulders.
Cinder suddenly remembered that she was sitting in nothing but a dingy terry cloth towel, and barely one at that
. She blushed. "I was dirty. I couldn't stand it anymore."
Nico leaned in and examined the wound on her head. "You should have let me help you." His eyes swept over her towel, resting where the fabric scarcely covered the top of her thighs. "Why don't you get dressed?" he suggested. "I found some clothes last night while you were sleeping. They're in the closet. I'm pretty sure they'll fit."
Cinder gaped at him as he brushed past her and sat down. He flopped down on the sofa and shot her an expectant look. "Go on," he prompted.
She blinked, surprised that once again, Nico had thought of everything. She got up and headed for the bathroom. Except for Donte, she had never experienced someone this "take charge". There was something about Nico that made her feel comfortable. She had just met him, and yet, she didn't want to leave his side.
When she stepped back into the main room a few minutes later, she wore a pair of black pants, a loose white blouse and a careful expression. It had been a while since she had worn anything beside silk or satin. Something about it felt like a betrayal to Donte and the palace. What would the mistresses say if they saw her now?
Nico nodded his approval. "You look really nice. I'm glad the clothes fit."
"Yes, thank you. I guess you've really mastered the scavenger thing, huh?"
He smiled. "You have no idea." Nico stood up and reached for her hand, pulling her to sit back down on the couch. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better. I guess I needed the food and rest more than I knew." She looked down at her hands, avoiding his eyes. "I suppose I can leave you alone now." Her heart heavy with sadness, she could barely say the words.
"Are you heading to the farming commune?"
"Um… well… I don't know. I'll figure it out." She wanted to tell him about Donte, but decided it would be revealing too much. "Don't worry about me."
"I figured you'd say that," he said dryly. "Which is why I've decided to escort you out of this commune myself. I'm going to make sure you're safe and sound and far from this forsaken place."
Cinder was about to nod in false agreement, then glanced at him sharply, clear defiance in her eyes. She studied him for a moment, figuring out how to go into battle with him. She had no desire to fight with the man... she had a feeling he would win. But she had to convince him of her idea.
Finally, she said, "No."
Nico didn't bother hiding his displeasure. "It wasn't a suggestion. You're going if it means me throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you the whole way kicking and screaming. You will be safe, whether you like it or not."
She crossed her arms over her chest, an action she knew would poke at his temper even more. If it were Donte, she would be under the leather lash in an instant for such behavior. He glared, causing her to avert her eyes.
"No to leaving yet," she elaborated. "I'll go wherever you want to go, but I need to find the rest of the women first. They're my friends." She knew she had a better chance at staying alive and finding them if she stuck with Nico. "Please help me."
A sigh escaped his lips. "Cinder. Have you lost your mind? It's dangerous here. Didn't last night prove that to you? Hopefully the women ran right out of the commune and back to the desert. If they had any common sense, they would have. It's too dangerous for you to even stay another day."
"Then protect me."
"Cinder—" he started.
"You," she cut in. "I want you to protect me, Nico, and I want you to help me find my friends. I won't settle for anything else."
Nico began pacing the room. He stopped in front of her with his hands on his hips. "You aren't calling the shots here. I am." His voice boomed even though he never yelled.
Evidently, she was a huge masochist. Maybe pathetic, too, because she was willing to beg if that's what it came down to. This man showed no signs of wanting her in his life. Hell, he was trying to get rid of her, and yet… yet, she would do anything to have him stay and help her. She owed it to the women to see that they were safe.
"Okay, call the shots. I'll do whatever you want. Just don't ask me to leave without knowing for sure the women aren't here." And so, the begging began.
"You can't be everyone's savior. You need to look out for yourself. We are alone in this ruthless world," Nico said, his voice coming out gruff.
Cinder raised one eyebrow. A part of her knew he didn't mean what he said, otherwise he wouldn't have helped her. She thought it best not to contradict him. "I'm not alone. There are people I need to find. I have friends. Surely you can understand that."
"Having friends will get you killed. Look what just happened to you. You stayed behind to fight off that man so your friends could get away. If you’d run and worried about your own ass, you wouldn't have come close to being raped or been almost beaten to death. You need to leave before it happens again," he said bluntly.
"I won't leave this place unless I'm positive they aren't here any longer. I'm scared! I'm terrified! I feel like a scared little girl afraid of the dark. I can't take it anymore! But I would rather risk my life, than walk away feeling I abandoned them. I'd rather my body die than my soul."
Something in his brown eyes softened. "Staying here will be harder than you think." To her shock, his voice suddenly cracked as he added, "But I won't make you leave your friends."
Her breath caught in her throat. For the first time since they met, there was genuine emotion in his voice. A hint of sorrow. A note of compassion. And she couldn't be certain, but a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
Swallowing, she murmured, "Please. I won't be a burden. I'll help. I'll contribute."
"I'm not an easy man," he said flatly. "I'll have expectations."
Cinder nodded eagerly. "Whatever they are… I swear I'll do."
A heavy silence fell between them. Nico glanced around the room for a moment, as if the furniture would help him make up his mind. And then his gaze landed directly on hers.
Finally, he said, "All right."
A ray of hope exploded from her chest. "You mean it? Yes?"
He let out a breath. "On a couple of conditions."
"Yes, yes! I told you, anything." Cinder wanted to jump up and down and clap her hands together in glee.
"I wouldn't get too excited if I were you. You may not like the conditions."
Her heart skipped. Was he going to demand sex? She would never betray Donte. Her body belonged to him. "What are they?"
"I'm in charge. I will lead us to the best of my ability, but you need to allow me to lead at all times."
She nodded in agreement.
"I expect your constant respect. But I will make damn sure I earn it."
She nodded again.
"I need you to trust in me. Trust that from this point on you are mine to protect. I don't take that lightly."
Cinder paused and studied Nico's face. "I can do that. I'm trained in submission as a member of the harem."
Nico grinned. "We'll see about that."
"And if I don't? Will you leave?" Cinder hated knowing that the threat of that would always loom over them.
He shook his head. "No. I stand by my word and commitments. But this is not a democracy. Just know that I lead, you follow."
Cinder sat in silence, taking it all in.
"Those are my conditions. Take them or leave them."
His conditions didn't seem awful. And frankly, she didn't care what he demanded. She would do anything to stay with Nico and figure a way to find Donte and everyone else.
"Deal," she announced.
He offered his hand to make it official. "Deal."
Slowly, she lifted her hand to his, letting him grip it. Solid. Strong. His touch reminded her of Donte.
Please, Donte, be alive.
Be alive.
15
They both fell silent, listening to the sounds around them. Cinder feared their silence, feared the hushed stillness more than anything else. She hated it.
"Why are you so quiet?" Nico asked. His breath whispered against her neck, the h
eat tore her in half. She was afraid of the commune, afraid of the darkness that loomed around them, unsure of the man she leaned against for warmth, and yet here was the only place she wanted to be. She had to remain in this nightmare in order to turn it into a dream. She couldn’t run. She couldn’t hide. She was the leader in charge, and her duty was to save the harem. But she couldn’t help but feel she had failed them all. Donte would be so disappointed.
She shrugged her shoulders.
Nico left the subject alone. The wind howled through the alleyways in the distance, a fear-provoking sound that made her heart skip and her body quiver. She disliked the night. Even in the calm, darkness held evil which crept down her neck and gave Cinder the chills.
"I don't want you to be afraid. I'll keep you safe."
"Do you think the girls are out there?" Cinder asked. "What about the men you speak of? Are they out there watching… waiting?"
"They're far enough away, and they won't come near us unless provoked."
"What if they feel provoked?"
"We have nothing to offer them right now." He repositioned his arm to have a stronger hold on her. "We'll search for the girls at dawn."
His strong arms engulfed her in a brief, reassuring hug, before releasing so he could tend to the fire. His hands gripped the iron poker, their power and strength mesmerized her, and as much as she wanted to fight the fact, Cinder enjoyed being with him. She should be searching for the girls, but right now, she relished the warmth and safety of Nico.
"I really like this room. It makes me feel safe."
Nico nodded as he repositioned the smoldering wood." I remember reading about a place like this once when I was a young boy."
Grabbing a few pieces of fresh wood, he added them to the fire. When he caught Cinder's smile, his face blushed in a bright shade of red. "Sorry, stupid memory I guess," he mumbled.
"Why say sorry? Memories are all we have left now."
Nico stood and walked to the window, gazing down to the empty street below.