The Knight's Rose

Chapter Forty-Five ~ The Words of a Rose

Chapter Forty-Five ~ The Words of a Rose

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⤝O⤞

Rose's POV

Goosebumps erupted all over my skin when I found myself alone, and I could count the beating of my own heart from how loud it was. I didn't think there would be lingering effects after getting kidnapped, and I wasn't ready to experience them. It felt like there were constant eyes watching my every move, waiting to cause me harm. Like a hand slowly wrapping itself around my neck, ready to take my last breath.

I felt anxious.

I sat on the fluffy mattress, my back pressed against the plush pillows. I didn't have enough fingers to count how many times I had moved in the past minute. I couldn't keep still. A part of me was still scared that Levon would burst through the doors and try to kidnap me again.

The larger part of me knew I was being foolish. I had literally watched Nikolai beat and stab him to death. He could no longer hurt me. He wasn't even on this earth anymore.

Still, I couldn't get rid of those lingering emotions of unease.

The gradual realization that the uneasiness I was experiencing was simply my brain's inability to relax and my anxiety stemmed from not knowing how things would turn out.

A knock on the wooden door pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned to see as it slowly slid open. Nikolai stood there, holding a platter of a steaming meal and a solemn expression on his face. When he turned to face me, his features softened noticeably.

I could feel the muscles in my face lifting, my mouth pulling to a wide smile at just the sight of him.

Yes, this man could erase all my unease by just existing.

Nikolai walked toward me, balancing the tray in one hand. He sat on the bed with ease, the food on the tray not even moving an inch. Talent. That's what you called that. Complete talent.

He placed the tray on his lap, before lifting the covers off the bowl of hot tomato soup and a plate of chicken tenderloin served with white rice and skewered vegetables.

"How are you feeling?" Nikolai asked, dipping the spoon into the crimson soup. I had to stop myself from salivating to properly answer his question. The thick aroma of the soup wafted in my nose, and I grew excited at the prospect of consuming it.

"I'm doing well, as well as I can be after that whole...," I trailed off, chuckling slightly.

"I wish I could erase the whole tragedy from your mind," Nikolai whispered quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. My ears burned at his touch, and I was scared they had turned the color of the soup.

Nikolai reached down for the spoon and brought a spoonful to my mouth. I stared at the spoon for a second before opening my mouth, allowing Nikolai to feed me.

Nikolai was feeding me soup.

Nikolai was feeding me.

Feeding me, Nikolai was.

My cheeks warmed as he brought a second helping to my mouth, feeding me again.

His actions washed me with memories of Prim nursing Lily when she was unwell. I began to feel a slow burn in my chest at the remembrance of my sisters. I wondered what they were doing at this very moment. Were they eating? Were they doing okay without me? How long had it been since I last saw them?

This was the longest time I've been without them.

"Rose?" Nikolai called. I turned to look at him, the spoon in his hand suspended in the air with the forgotten soup. His gaze shone with worry and I pondered why for a split second before I felt a tear slip down my cheek.