When The Night Falls Book 2 of When Good Things End trilogy

CHAPTER 32

Tide was ecstatic about the gift Laurent gave him. "Now I'm a real pirate!" he yelled, showing off his prosthetic leg to the others.
I watched him quickly get used to walking around on both feet. Milo's going to find it funny that he has a different looking foot.
"You think we should fly home or join the boat?" I asked Laurent as I put some more things on his plate and sat down. My voice had lost most of it's raspy effects. The skin around the bottom half of my face was healed in a lighter color than the rest of me but the sun would fix that problem for me.
The texture was still a bit rough to the touch but the moisturizer Zina had given me smoothed out the bigger parts of it.
He gratefully ate whatever I had given him before answering. "It's better you go home on the boat, Tide and Zina would feel more comfortable that way."
I shifted in the dining room chair. "And what about you?"
"I can fly Ny back home, I'll end up getting there earlier so if I go when the boat sets out. But I don't mind staying here for a day or to before flying out."
"I don't think that's a good idea," I stated. Uneasy with the thought of splitting up.
He smiled behind his cup as he drank. "I can go ahead of the boat. Get some things ready and all for the new comers."
"Leo and Ronin got that covered already," I paused, realizing he might be just planning on something. The soft lighting of the room made the ring around my finger glow.
Does he want to propose when we get back to Phoenix Drop?
I can't just tell him not to do that. But what if I'm not ready that day? What if I get sea sick and he proposes right when I get back? My stomach twisted at the thought of me accidentally ruining the whole moment.
I can't barf on him. That's not what's supposed to happen.
"Hey, relax love. I won't do anything spontaneous," he reassured. Laying a hand over mine and stopping me from rubbing my skin raw. I let go of the promise ring.
"What's going to happen when we get back?" I whispered, still watching as Tide pranced around and even asked Zina for a quick dance.
Laurent thought about it for a moment. "We'll take a small break to just do nothing and walk along the beach for a week than get back into our usual work."
"Do you think the others are going to be..." I took a moment to pick my words. "Do you think I'm dumb for going to Vildrid? Are the others going to be mad at me for not telling them and going alone?"
He cracked a smile. "Yes. You were very reckless when you decided to do that. I'm sure that hurt them as much as it did me."
I nodded. "But?"
"But when it comes to relationships, both sides have to realize they have their moments."
"I guess you're a philosopher now," I sighed. Picking some at my food.
I feel lethargic and anxious.
"Think it's enough socializing for today?" Laurent asked quietly as he leaned down. "Ready for bed?"
I nodded and got up with a yawn. It was still early into the night but today was still packed with work. "I went to go talk with the council about that guy today. Then I hung out with your grandmother for lunch. Zina and I had to go over some things since she was wondering where she would stay back at home," I listed off the things that happened throughout the day and he listed as we walked back to our room.
"I talked to Ein." I grimaced. "He wasn't happy about the news I'm leaving him behind."
I still can't tell if that's being fair to him.
He hasn't changed much from the boy he was years ago. He's still selfish and manipulative. What bothered me most was his expression at the end of the conversation.
He gave up.
His anger just dissolved the split second as I turned to walk away. He looked lost for once.
"You know I love you, right?" Laurent's question came from no where as he gestured for me to come in before he did as he opened the door.
I stood at the doorway, looking up at him confused. "I don't doubt that."
"But?"
"But are you asking me this just to make me ask that back?"
He shook his head, glad that I told him what I was thinking. "I just like hearing you say that out loud. I love you." The peck on my cheek was warm and gentle.
I stopped him for going into the room. Blocking his way as I crossed my arms and leaned my shoulder on the wall with a smirk. "You know I love you, right?"
"Yes."
"I love you too Laurent."
"With the same level as you love my back or is there a difference there?" he teased.
I swat his arm, feeling flustered. "You're much more handsome in comparison to your back. There, is that enough to satisfy you?" I sat down at the side of the bed and pulled my coat off.
My stomach melted into a pool of piping hot blush. He leaned over me, closer than what I was used to. "I didn't think I'd ever be jealous of myself."
"How sad, I guess I'll have to refrain from admiring other peoples spines from now on as well as your own." I poked his cheek and fell back onto the bed.
"Please do, I'd rather you not ogle other men."
"I don't ogle," I said, feeling offended. "I just briefly glance."
That's a lie. I could drill a hole through someone with just my eyes. I'm just surprised Laurent's immune to my admiration.
He sighed, laying down to my right. "Fine, but you're going to have to tell me who's back you stare at if I'm ever around."
"Why would I do that?"
"So I could see how different my back is in comparison to theirs. For science."
To be honest the only person I have ever ogled was him. But he doesn't need to know that. "What are you going to do with that 'science?'""Ask what kind of training they do."
"So you could train like them?" I laughed. His blush was cute as I pulled him into a hug. "You don't need to worry about that. You're the only person I've ever loved like this."
He let that sink in. "I think I'm still going to hold a grudge against myself for a while longer."
"Come on. What do you want me to say?"
"You don't have to say anything you don't want to." He pulled out a small box and sat up.
Wait.
This isn't happening right now is it?
"Don't worry. Remember I told you, nothing spontaneous?"
I nodded, still feel anxious as he gave me the box. We both sat up as I opened it. My necklace was inside it. The same that was ripped off of me during the first kidnapping. This time it was different.
The thin chain was accompanied by another one hanging a bit lower. The little heart diamond was at the top were as a pearl jewel decorated the lower chain.
"It's the same one from the market," I realized.
Is it to dainty now to wear to bed?
I smiled, remembering the secret gift I had hidden away. I also had something form the market that he didn't know about. He looked surprised as I looked for the gift. It wasn't wrapped up yet but since he was gifting something I wanted to return the favor.
I groaned as the door opened and the moment got ruined. I guess it just wasn't the right time to do this.
"Anna? You mind if I talk with you?" Zina called out.
Laurent put away the box as I got up. I sent him a sorry smile as I went to go talk with Zina. I quickly set the box down next to him and went out the room.
It's fine if he opens it without me. It was just a small gift I thought he might like.
"What's up?" I asked.
She apologized for calling me back out. The others were already making there ways out, Class had been the main host for the evening.
"Would it be okay if I moved? To your kingdom? Completely?" She hesitated between each word.
I blinked at her. "Of course Zina. That would be wonderful."
"Are you sure your okay with that? My ex might end up finding out and coming back. That might end up involving you again." She started rambling on in some worried manner that wasn't her usual self.
"I'll be happy to have you be a part of my village," I said. She thanked my with a small bow and I saw her out before coming back inside.
Now that most of the guests were gone things were back to being quiet. Tide was in the kitchen with Class helping clean things up so I fluffed the couches again and did what I could to help.
The bedroom door was still open so I closed it on my way in. Laurent was in the bathroom as I wondered over, pulling my corsets strings off.
he was silent, looking at himself through the mirror. "What's wrong?" I asked, noticing him tense up. "Was the gift a bad one?"
Scratch marks started to swell up a bit around his bad eye. "It's nothing just was getting an eyelash out. I hadn't opened the gift yet." He tried to get out the bathroom in a slight rush.
"You sure it was just an eyelash?" He was trying not to show it but I saw red mix into the pale blue. "What's happened to your eye? Why is it bleeding?" I asked, fear gnawing away at me. What was he doing to it?
"I must have scratched it a bit. Don't worry, I can't feel a thing." He was lying.
"We need to get you a doctor," I said. It didn't get better once he rubbed at it. The blood tearing up his eyes and bleeding down the side of his face.
"There isn't much point. It's late already. I'll just sleep it off."
This isn't good. It wasn't stopping. I held back his hand trying to get him not to touch it. He looked dazed as the blood started running down and seeping into his shirt.
"I can't see right," he almost whispered. Bringing his shaking hands to his face. "I can't see anything Anna."
I didn't know what to do as he hissed out in pain. He couldn't say anything as he coiled and doubled down to the floor.