Ahicia struggled against Damian's firm grip as he dragged her up the stairs and into her room. Her crimson eyes burned with defiance, but her strength was no match for his. With one swift motion, Damian pushed the door shut behind them, the sound echoing through the quiet halls.
"Sit," Damian commanded, guiding her toward the bed. His tone was sharp, yet beneath it lay an edge of concern.
Ahicia hesitated, her feet rooted to the ground, but Damian's piercing golden gaze left no room for argument. She sat on the edge of the bed, her breath shallow as Damian rummaged through a nearby cabinet. He pulled out a small first-aid box, his movements quick yet controlled.
When he turned back to her, Ahicia noticed the deep shadows under his eyes, the dullness in his golden irises, and the weariness etched across his face. His usually sharp, commanding aura was dulled, replaced with an exhaustion that tugged at her heart.
Damian knelt before her, his eyes flicking to her swollen feet. "The first time you step outside after three whole weeks," he began, his voice steady but tinged with frustration. "And you do it barefoot and improperly dressed?"
Ahicia flinched slightly, her gaze darting away from his. She tried to pull her feet back, but Damian's grip was unyielding.
"What if I hadn't been watching from my window?" he continued, his tone softening as he began tending to her feet. "You're still not fully recovered. Are you taking your medications?"
Ahicia remained silent, her crimson eyes fixed on the floor.
Damian sighed, the sound heavy with fatigue. "The doctor said you shouldn't miss even a single dose," he murmured, wrapping her foot with gentle precision. When she still didn't respond, Damian paused.
Without warning, he pressed a tender kiss to the top of her foot. The unexpected gesture made Ahicia's heart skip a beat.
"Talk to me," Damian murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm getting lonely without your stubborn arguments. You have no idea how empty I feel without you. It's like a part of me is missing."
Ahicia finally looked up at him, her crimson eyes brimming with unshed tears. Her voice trembled as she spoke, barely louder than a whisper. "If you're lonely… why don't you go to Grace?"
The room fell deathly silent. Damian froze, her words hitting him like a dagger to the chest. Slowly, his golden eyes widened, disbelief and hurt flickering in their depths.
He let out a shaky breath, his shoulders trembling as he dropped his gaze. "Grace?" he repeated, his voice breaking. "You think… that I want Grace?"
Ahicia didn't reply, her fingers gripping the edge of the bed tightly.
Damian clenched his jaw, his eyes glistening with tears. "You're the only one I love," he said, his voice cracking. "Do you think I'd go through all of this if I didn't love you?"
Tears began streaming down his cheeks as he continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I don't want her. I've never wanted her. You're my only wife, Ahicia. You're my mate. No one else could ever take your place."
Ahicia's breath hitched as she watched the man she thought of as unshakable break down before her. His words, raw and unfiltered, pierced through the walls she had built around her heart.
Damian wiped at his tears furiously, but they kept coming. "I love you," he whispered, his voice trembling. "And it kills me to see you like this. Please… just tell me what to do. Tell me how to help you."
Overwhelmed, Ahicia reached out, her trembling hands cupping his face. Damian looked up at her, his tear-streaked face filled with so much vulnerability it made her chest ache.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Without another word, she leaned forward and kissed him. The kiss was soft yet full of unspoken emotions, a silent promise that she would try—for him. Damian stiffened in surprise, but he quickly melted into the kiss, his hands cupping her face as if she might disappear.
When they pulled apart, a small giggle escaped Ahicia's lips, breaking the tension. Damian blinked at her, his expression softening as a smile crept onto his face.
"You're such a crybaby," she teased, her crimson eyes twinkling with rare amusement.
Damian chuckled, his tail wagging behind him with a childlike fervor. "Because I'm your baby, right?" he replied, his voice light yet full of affection.
He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply as if her presence alone could heal the ache in his chest. His arms tightened around her as his tail continued to wag furiously, a physical manifestation of his joy.
"I missed this," he mumbled against her hair.
Ahicia stroked his back gently, a smile tugging at her lips. "Give me time to fully recover," she said softly. "And then we'll go out for dinner. Just the two of us."
Damian pulled back slightly, his golden eyes shimmering with gratitude. The morning sun streamed through the window, bathing them in its warm light.
"Ahicia…" he whispered, his voice trembling as tears threatened to spill again.
Ahicia smirked, brushing a stray tear from his cheek. "No more crying, Damian. You'll flood the room," she teased.
He laughed, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. "I'll stop crying when you're completely better," he said, nuzzling his nose into her neck.
The two of them stayed like that for a while, the sun's rays wrapping them in a cocoon of warmth and love. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was hope in their hearts.