GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 79: A World of Darkness

*Riley*

Seconds blended into minutes. Minutes turned to hours, hours to days.

My days were all the same. I sat in darkness, waiting for someone to help me, like a b**y invalid. I hated it. I hid in the room most times, not wanting to bother the others.

Sometimes I was so sad that I cried. At least the gauze was useful for one thing, Nicolas couldn’t tell when I’d been crying.

Most of my injuries had healed. I was stronger, and the limp I had was temporarily gone. Some days I could move without pain, other days…. not so much.

Although my physical wounds had almost disappeared, my heart? I don’t think I would ever recover from the pain, the fear, and the torture I went through. We were safe now, but the image of Nicolas getting stabbed with a silver dagger was burned into my brain.

Touching him wasn’t enough. I wanted to see him, inspect every inch of his body, and make sure he was okay. I wanted to look into his eyes. and make him promise to never leave me. I want to stare at him all day and make sure he never leaves my side.

Chapter 29. & World of Darkness

I traced my hand across the gauze on my face. If only this thing would come off. I’d been promised I’d be able to take it off soon. I hoped it would be sooner rather than later.

Surprisingly, the darkness had become my friend. Although I despised it. I learned to hide in it. Whenever images from ‘the incident’ haunted

me. I would retreat into the darkness.

If I couldn’t see anything, then none of it was real.

But it was, wasn’t it? The very darkness I welcomed was proof that I’d suffered terribly and lost a great deal.

I had learned to see my ears, and my hearing had grown sensitive as a result. Another side effect of the unfortunate run-in with Malik.

It was all worth it. I was glad Nicolas, my fated mate, was alive. And once I heal completely, we can finally start our lives together.

I heard the flurry of footsteps I had grown accustomed to these past few days. It was time for my routine check-up.

At the same time every day, Sara would rush to help me to the living room where the doctor would see me. And every day when she held my hand, leading me through the darkness, I felt even more pathetic than the day before.

Eager to prove I could do it on my own, I rose to my feet. I stayed in this room for weeks. I should be able to find my way in the dark

Chapter 79 A World of Darkness

without any form of assistance.

Filled with pride, I made my way to what I hoped was the door, refusing to feel through the room. I’d barely made it anywhere when my feet hit something hard. I screamed in pain, crashing to the floor.

Before I knew it, I heard the door open.

“Oh no,” I heard someone say. “What were you doing?” I could tell it was Sara from the sound of pure worry in her tone.

“I’m fine,” I brushed off the hand I felt on my arm. I pushed my weight to my right leg, trying to get up. But the pain was back, and as soon as I moved to get up, I crashed right back to the ground.

“Stop being so stubborn,” Sara scolded. I felt her grab my arm, holding it in firmly. “Let me help you.”

I was surprised she spoke to me that way. Maybe I was indeed being a brat. I let Sara lead me to the living room.

When I heard hushed voices, I assumed we had arrived. Sara loosened her hold on me and then big, warm hands pulled me, bringing me to a firm chest. Nicolas.

I took in his scent, the feel of his arms around me. It was all

magnificent.

fapter 79 A World of Darkness

“How are you doing?” he asked. From the tone of his voice, I could tell he was inspecting me. “What happened to her?”

I knew he had found what I assumed to be the consequences of my actions. I also knew that Sara would try to take the fall for what happened. I couldn’t let her do that.

“It was my

fault,” I admitted. “I was being stubborn and wouldn’t let Sara help me.”

I expected him to scold me, but instead, he sighed, took my hand, and led me deeper into the room. After a few steps forward, I felt his hand leave my palm and land on my shoulder, urging me to sit.

I lowered myself slowly, resting my back against the soft c** n.

“Malik ran away, as expected,” I heard Nicolas say. “It’s almost as if he disappeared off the face of the earth. But Vera brought back his son.”

I nod, not to anyone in particular. I hoped Nicolas had seen the nod, but I couldn’t be sure and I wasn’t going to ask. That would be too embarrassing.

“Malik would not dare to make any move as long as we have his son.”

I nod again. There was nothing much I could say.

I hear heavy footsteps as if someone just entered the room. “Hello

Chapter 39- A World of Darkness

Doctor,” I heard Nicolas say, and then I felt the pressure lift off the

couch.

“Is she ready?” a voice I assumed belonged to the doctor asked.

I moved to the edge of my seat, anxiety already coursing through my veins. I hoped that the gauze would finally come off today.

A hand wrapped around my arm, placing two fingers on my wrist. He waited a beat, two, and then I felt something cold rest on my chest, exactly where my heart was.

Another beat, two, and then it was gone.

“You’re in good health. Your cups too,” the doctor said.

I frowned. “Cups? Plural?”

“Yes, congratulations, Luna.

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips. I’d been so sad these past few days, but this news? I had one more person to live for. I was more excited to get back to my life than ever before.

I wondered how Nicolas was feeling. I didn’t want him to tell me. I wanted to see for myself.

Chapter 7 World of Darkness

“Can I take off the gauze? I want to see Nicolas,” I asked.

“Of course,” I heard the doctor say and felt a hand on each side of my

face.

As the doctor carefully peeled off the gauze, my fingers twisted and turned nervously. After being in darkness for what felt like an eternity, I couldn’t wait to finally lay eyes on Nicolas again. Every second felt like an eternity.

I felt a weight lift off my eyes. Good, it was finally off.

Holding my breath in anticipation, I counted down in my mind.

3…2…1….

But as I cautiously opened my eyes, all I saw was darkness.

My heart sank with disappointment and fear. No, this couldn’t bet happening. I shut my eyes tightly and tried again, hoping that maybe I didn’t do it right the first time. I should have….

Even as I tried to convince myself, I already knew. And as I peeled my eyes open again, tears falling from my faulty eyes, I was met with nothing but darkness.