Dinastiya Tested // 3rd Book of the Takaryev Trilogy

Chapter 36

Artem woke up screaming in the middle of the night. 

Ravil was startled awake and was at Artem's side faster than he'd decided to kill Taras. "What is it? What's wrong?" 

Artem stopped screaming and buried his head in his hands, sniffling. "Nightmare. Sorry." 

Ravil cautiously placed a hand on Artem's back and gently rubbed his shoulder blade. "It's alright," 

"You know how I said that they tortured me?" Artem murmured, voice trembling. 

"Mhm," Ravil answered. 

"Did I ever tell you who did it?" Artem queried. "Who actually tortured me those weeks?"

"I don't believe so, Tëma," Ravil replied. 

"It was my own father. Hilarion Takaryev," Artem burst into tears. "My own father..." 

"Hey, it'll be alright," Ravil attempted to console his husband. "He was a devil from the start, da? We don't need him. I'll protect you." 

"I'm just scared," Artem confessed. "I don't want to go back to sleep because I'll see him. I keep remembering but I don't want to." 

Ravil craned his head and kissed Artem on the cheek. "Just think about something else. Like how I'm gonna kick Hilarion's ass if I ever cross paths with him." 

Artem managed a slight chuckle. 

Ravil grinned. "Because I will kick his ass, you know."

Artem pressed his face into Ravil's shoulder. "You're the best person I've ever met," 

Ravil half-laughed. "Hardly. Thanks for marrying me, by the way." 

"It's an honor," Artem smiled.