Yishumi nantathu

Riley's POV

I laid awake in the large bed. My plan failed. I was beyond annoyed at the older girl's stubbornness. She acted as if the thought of sharing my bed was unthinkable as if we didn't speak most of our lives wrapped in each other's embrace.

But, of course, everything was different now. My sweet Nikola was hardened now and, as if that wasn't bad enough, she was not mine anymore. That was the worst thing about this whole situation. I knew that she wasn't any near to being at a place of forgiveness for me, but I needed her right now and I wish I didn't only have half of her to go through this weekend with.

I was interrupted from my thoughts by a whimper. I rolled over in bed and saw my guardian anger wriggling in pain. Her eyebrowed were knitted together and her entire body was curled into a small ball. She looked like a scared child in this pose. It stabbed at my heart. She was having a nightmare. She had these all the time when we were younger. Only, this time I had a hand in creating the nightmare she was reliving.

I slowly climbed out of my bed and knelt beside the grieving girl. She was moaning in pain and panting. I wanted to pull her into my arms and soothe her out of her current agony but that would not go over well with the whiny fire hazard. I don't think that the rest of our esteemed guests would appreciate waking up ablaze.

"Lee…" she choked out. My heart clenched. She flipped over again, this time facing me, and let out a silent cry.

"please… plea… ss," she wheezed out. Her breath caught in her throat as she continued to sob. I fought back on my urge to hold her. Instead, I placed my hand on her forehead – she was on fire. And not in her usual way. She unconsciously moved into my touch and exhaled a deep sigh. That was it. I relented and took the girl into my arms and rubbed her back soothingly. Her breathing calmed and her whines turned into soft sighs – relief perhaps?

Before I had the chance to enjoy her closeness, it was over. Her eyes fluttered open slowly and quickly settled on me. She looked confused but that confusion soon morphed into fury as she violently shot off her sleeping mat and onto the floor beside it. I would have laughed at the sight of her falling on her glorious behind if it wasn't for my aching heart. I hated that she was so repelled by my touch that she sought comfort on the ground, first the mat, now the floor. She was hurting my feelings a little. Instead of telling her that, I rolled my eyes, standing up.

"I was simply trying to help," I grumbled. She should allow me to help her.

"I…," she took her breath, "I don't need your help."

"Nix!" I growled. I knew my true eyes were showing. I just wanted her to accept my support – that's who I used to be for her. Now she looked for those things from other people and that ate at me.

"I told you not to call me that!" she seethed, standing up and taking a step towards me. I hope they weren't misinforming us about the sound-proof quality of this room I just rolled my eyes and stood firm.

We were chest to chest at this point, both of our breathing heavy. Neither of us was making a move to stand down. There was no way I would let Nikola have the upper hand against me.

"Ni-ko-la," I said in a cynical way, emphasizing each ridiculous syllable of her beautiful name," why can't you let me help you?"

"Because it's your fault!" she screamed at me.

"What?" I gasped. Her stony resolve was faltering. For a moment I caught a glimpse of the seventeen-year-old girl that crumbled at my feet on the worst day of her life. Before she was told a story that would ensure she never sought me out for comfort ever again.

"I saw him… I always see him," she said. Her walls were sinking into the ground and I saw a single tear paint her cheek… soon more followed. She clenched her jaw, almost willing them to return to her eyes.

"He dies. Every night. And every night I fail to save him. I just stand there�� at that cliff. I just stand there looking at that fucking water," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. I moved towards her, hoping that she would fall into my arms.

Instead, she looked up at me, with hatred burning in her chocolate eyes.

"You did that! You took him from me! It's all your fault! You're the reason that my brother is dead!" she seethed. Before turning on her heels and marching out of the door. She didn't even bother to close it, opting to allow it to swing on its hinged and shut loudly behind her.

I stood there for a long moment, lost in thought and guilt. Until I realized that it was not helping anyone. Remorse is empty unless it leads to action. I decided that I would allow Nikola to hate me – I would let her hate me if that was what she needed to become whole again. Because, despite the beauty and strength that came with time, but they didn't take away from the clear cracked that was visible on her heart. I would allow the hate she felt for me to be the gold that mended those cracks and returned her to enhanced perfection.

There were only two places that an enraged Nikola would go to at this hour. I highly doubt that she would opt to put a forest between us right now, given the guests in attendance this weekend. So, training facility it was.

I made my way to the training room easily, thank goodness for our thorough concierge. It was quiet as I approached the room. I assume that they had guarded this room against sound as well. It was best not to have your sleep disrupted by continuous grunts and heavy breathing – in essence, the same reason that the bedrooms were sound-proof.

When I entered the room, Nikola was shirtless and only sporting her sleeping shorts and a chest binder. The orishas were known for their otherworldly beauty but the tales did not do Nix justice. She already glistened in a thin layer of sweat that made the bulge of her muscles all the more noticeable and deliciously attractive.

Control yourself, Riley, we have a goal to complete, I reprimanded myself.

I watched her wield one of the long spears skillfully. She was taking out all of her frustration on her phantom opponents. That should be me – she should be unleashing her anger onto me. I deserved all the force of her vengeance and her grief. The fact that she would be shirtless while doing so was a benefit.

I cleared my throat. This got her attention, She glared at me and continued to train. I rolled my eyes, walking towards her.

"Why are you here, Riley?" she asked.

She sounded calmer. That wouldn't last for much longer.

"I want you to fight me," I said simply. She was surprised. Before shaking her head in disbelief.

"Can you not just stop. Leave me alone. I left you – most people can understand that means I want space. But not you – you cling to a person like the cold," she said.

I shrugged off her bitter words, before speaking again, "You know you want to do this. Just admit it – you hate me. You blame me. Fine." I met her eyes and walked towards her, grabbing a spear of my own, "so fight me."

"I can't fight you! I'm supposed to be protecting you, your majesty," she spat.

I chuckled challengingly, "you think you will get a hit in. Cute."

This got her attention. Her ego was always her best quality. It was what gave her edge and authority over everyone else in the world.

"Don't test me, Riley. I'm not in a playful mood," she said.

Too bad, I thought, because you're going to have to use all of your skills to win this fight.

I smirked up her, passing the spear between my hands skillfully and then, a swift move, lunging forward and stabbing the long weapon towards her sculpted face. Her lightning-like reflexes allowed her to block my attack.

"Riley, don't," she warned. My smirk grew and I lunged again.

This time she sidestepped and attempted to knock me off my feet. I jumped up and landed gracefully on one foot. Before striking again. That was it – the final straw. I saw a familiar look in her eyes. She was preparing to attack.

"Fine," she said, finally getting into a fight stance. She gave me a quick once over before speaking once more, "I'm not holding back this time, Riley. If you're going to fight me – because the quality of your defence is the only thing guaranteeing your safety tonight."

I grinned playfully. This was going to be fun.