I woke to the warmth of Nikolai's arm draped securely around my waist, his hold grounding me even in sleep. Daisy was curled up beside me, her small body pressed against mine, her rhythmic purring a comforting vibration against my side. For a moment, I just lay there, eyes half-closed, drinking in the serenity. This wasn't just a dream—it was the dream.
Groggily, I shifted to face Nikolai, moving carefully so as not to disturb either him or Daisy. It was a bit of a struggle, squished between them as I was, but I managed.
He looked so peaceful. The usual tension that lined his face was gone, and the faint purple shadows under his eyes had finally disappeared. His features, usually so sharp and intense, were softened in the gentle glow of the morning light. He looked... happy.
No, angelic.
My gaze lingered on the small scars that scattered across his face, faint but unmistakable. They told a story I still didn't fully know, and I made a mental note to ask him about the mask he used to wear.
As if sensing my thoughts, his eyelids fluttered open, and his sleepy eyes found mine. A slow, tired smile spread across his lips, one that made my heart skip. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed me, the warmth of it melting away the last remnants of sleep.
For a moment, we stayed like that, wrapped in a bubble of silence, just looking at each other. No words were needed. It was enough to simply be.
"Hey, hun?" I finally murmured, breaking the quiet.
He didn't reply right away, just hummed in acknowledgment, his hand coming up to brush a stray strand of hair from my face. His fingers lingered, gentle and deliberate, and I couldn't help but smile like an idiot.
"Why did you wear that mask for so long?" I asked, my voice soft, though the question felt heavy.
The smile on his face faltered, just a fraction, but enough to make my stomach twist. Oh no. Had I pushed too far?
His hand moved to my hair, brushing through it with careful strokes, his touch reassuring even as he sighed. "Why do you ask?" he said quietly, his tone calm but cautious.
I shrugged, nuzzling closer into his touch, trying to show him it was okay. That he was okay.
He was quiet for a beat, then finally began, his voice low and steady. "You know how I started fighting when I was young?"
I nodded, keeping my gaze locked on his, silently urging him to go on.
"Well, my trainer was this man who... let's just say he was terrifying. He used to tell me that no one—ever—should see weakness in me when I was fighting. And, because I was young and stupid, I made mistakes. I got hurt. These scars"—he gestured faintly to his face—"are reminders of those mistakes. Of my failures. I guess I couldn't bear for anyone else to see them, so I hid them. The mask was my way of making sure no one saw my weakness."
He finished, his voice tapering off as his eyes searched mine. I could see the vulnerability there, just beneath the surface, the fear that his words might change how I saw him.
Carefully, I brought my hand up to his face, letting my fingers trace the faint scars he called imperfections. They were softer than I expected, faded but still so much a part of him.
"Nik," I whispered, my voice filled with nothing but love. "I love you so much. Don't ever hide your imperfections. They're part of who you are. And to me, you're perfect. Inside and out."
He stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable, before his eyes softened. A glaze of emotion flickered across them, and he pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead with such tenderness it made my heart ache.
"I love you more, Bell," he murmured into my hair, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying the weight of a promise.
The room was quiet after that, filled only with the sound of our breathing and the steady hum of Daisy's purring. It was calm, peaceful, like the world had finally given us a moment to rest.
But, as if sensing the attention wasn't on her, Daisy let out a soft meow, breaking the silence.
We both laughed, the spell broken but in the best way. I turned to cuddle her, earning another happy purr as she nestled into me.
Nik reached over to scratch behind her ears, his fingers brushing against mine for a brief moment. "She really does have the best timing," he said with a chuckle.
I grinned, feeling my heart swell as I looked at the two of them—my husband and our spoiled little cat.
-
As I descend the staircase, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries greets me, comforting and familiar. Just as my foot touches the last step, a high-pitched squeal pierces the morning air.
"Bella!"
I instantly recognize the voice and spin around, my heart leaping in my chest.
"Camille!"
Without thinking, I rush toward her, and she meets me halfway, wrapping me in a tight hug that feels like it could last forever.
"Oh my god, Cam!" My voice cracks with emotion as I hold her close.
She clutches me just as tightly, her grip trembling. When she pulls back, I see tears streaming down her cheeks, her eyes shimmering with relief. "I thought—" Her voice wavers, and she shakes her head as if she can't finish the thought. "You're alive. You're really alive."
Her words hit me like a tidal wave, and I can't stop the tears that spill from my own eyes. "I'm okay," I assure her, my voice shaky but sincere. "I'm here, Cam."
For a moment, we just stand there, holding each other and crying, a whirlwind of relief and unspoken fears passing between us. Finally, Camille pulls back, sniffing and dabbing at her eyes before giving me a playful glare.
"I'm still mad at Nik for letting you get hurt, though," she says, her tone light but laced with genuine concern.
I laugh, glancing over my shoulder at Nikolai, who has just appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "Don't worry, I've already given him an earful."
Camille crosses her arms, pretending to pout. "Good. Someone needs to keep him in line."
Before I can reply, the sound of approaching footsteps catches my attention, and I turn to see Ben and Matteo entering the room. Their faces light up the moment they see me, and I barely have time to react before Ben pulls me into a bear hug.
"Bell!" he exclaims, lifting me slightly off the ground. "It's so good to see you!"
"Easy, Ben," Matteo says with a grin, stepping in to ruffle my hair as soon as Ben lets go. "She just got back. Let's not break her."
I laugh, wiping the last of my tears as Matteo leans down to give me a quick but warm hug.
"It's good to have you back," he says softly, his smile genuine.
They both turn to Nikolai, greeting him with handshakes and pats on the back. "Nik," Ben says, "you didn't completely screw this up. Nice work."
"High praise," Nikolai replies dryly, though I catch the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
We all make our way to the dining room, where a table laden with breakfast foods awaits us. The atmosphere is warm and lively as we sit down to eat, the conversation flowing easily. Camille bombards me with questions, Ben cracks jokes between bites of toast, and Matteo listens quietly, chiming in with the occasional witty comment.
Nik sits beside me, his hand brushing against mine under the table, a quiet reassurance in the midst of the chaos. It feels like old times—like the weight of everything has momentarily lifted, leaving nothing but the simple joy of being together.
As the sun streams through the windows and laughter fills the room, I realize how much I've missed this. How much I've missed them. This is home.
-
-
-
thank you so much for reaching :)
1384 words
YOU ARE READING
Tied to the Throne
Romance"This marriage is nothing but an alliance to me. Don't expect anything else, because you won't get it. I will never love you." "It felt as if my parents had tied me to the throne. Tied me to him." - A princess and a prince, forced into a marriage th...
