Chapter 63

I jolted awake right when I heard Colton’s voice.

“Rose, you’re awake!” He exclaimed and went instantly to her side. He sat on the bed beside her.

I was sitting on the chair by the window. I didn’t realize that I fell asleep despite my sitting position. I watched them from here and decided that I should let them be. I figured he had every right to be there for her. I resisted the urge to go to her and have her on my own. I have resisted the desire to be the first one she sees when she wakes up.

I have been on edge for god knows how many hours until I fell asleep with it.

Colton lunged at her for a hug, careful not to hit her wound. He was crying again like a kid. I saw the surprise on Kura’s face at how her best friend reacted.

“God, Rose! You don’t know how I’m dying here waiting for you to wake up. You really gave me a heart attack when you took that bullet for me.” He spoke almost in a sob.

“Well… it didn’t go as expected. I thought he wasn’t going to pull the trigger as long as I cover you. I guess the timing was off.” She joked and laughed bitterly.

I saw her eyes squeezed perhaps in pain. Her hand rubbed his back in a comforting way.

“Promise me that it’ll be the last time. This is the last time you put yourself in danger.” He took the words right out of my mouth.

He then held her at arms length as he looked at her squarely with grave solemnity.

Her mouth moved to reply but then stopped when she realized something.”Wait. What happened? Where’s Nile? What happened to Jacob? Did he hurt you two?”

“Jacob…” Colton started but then shifted his attention towards me. Kural caught his movement and turned to me.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me. “Nile!” Her smile was just as wide.

I gave her a small smile and stood from the seat. I was shocked when she quickly got off the bed and ran towards me. She immediately engulfed me in a hug. Her lovely legs wrapped around my hip. My arms automatically embraced her waist, remembering their place always.

She couldn’t freely move her other arm but the other was around my neck. The hug was short when she pulled away. Our eyes met for a brief second before she feasted my lips hungrily.

I was shocked at the suddenness but the kiss made my mind feel at ease. Our mouths danced passionately and rhythmically. It went on for a while until we were out of breath.

“I missed you even in my dreams.” She whispered before latching again to me. I sensed her inhaling my scent from my neck as she hummed in contentment.

I was honestly a bit in a daze. I was shocked. This is the first time Kura has been so clingy. She wasn’t this affectionate before. She wasn’t this cute.

Bozhe moi. I love her like this.

My eyes unexpectedly travelled towards Colton who was staring at us in awe. I cleared my throat awkwardly and walked towards her bed. When I placed her to the bed, I heard her mutter a shit.

She then turned towards Colton. “Sorry, I forgot you were here.” She apologized while a bit embarrassed.

He raised his hands and shrugged. “I think what 's important is that you're awake now and looking better. You really scared us shitless, Rose.” He sniffed. He already wiped his face dry from his fat tears.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized while looking down pensively. There was regret and disappointment in her face. Her expression suddenly changed like she remembered something. “There's something I need to tell you. Silena…”

“Silena?” I asked in curiosity.

“My dad’s wife. My stepmother.”

“We know what happened to her.” Colton informed her on our behalf. Kura knitted her eyebrows inquisitively. “We met your father here, Rose. He was looking for you. We had to tell him the truth why you’re here. He didn’t look good.”

“You told him about Jacob?” She showed deep concern when she learned we told her father about it.

“We skipped some facts. We just told him that Jacob was your stalker. We figured you wouldn't like the idea if we told him every single detail.” I added.

“Oh, thank god.” She sighed in relief. “My dad is frail as he is. I don’t think he’ll take it well if he knows my dangerous situation. My stepmom, now me.” Her hand went to her head to support it. The burden she was carrying was already obvious.

“Which brings me to why Silena is here. As you already know, she just had an accident and to my lack of luck, I was the reason that happened to her.”

Colton and I looked at her incredulously. “How can you say that when it’s obviously an accident?” He said.

“It wasn’t an accident. Jacob was apparently behind the wheel.” Our eyes widened from shock. She continued speaking with obvious heaviness. “He found out about my feud with my family. And of course he did something about it with all his obsession with me. He said he’ll do anything for me. That includes people who hurt me.”

My hand went to her uninjured shoulder and touched her comfortingly. “You don’t need to worry about him. This time he won’t be able to escape. I guarantee that.” I spoke with conviction. Kura wrapped her arms around me as her reply.

“Thank you. I just hope he won't ever come back.” She squeezed me tightly in her arms as she buried her face against my chest.

“I hate myself for causing this to Silena. I hated her… but not to the point where I wanted her to die. Jacob is crazy. I don’t feel guilty when I say this, that I want him gone… for good.” She said as soon as she withdrew from me.

“Don’t worry.” I said as I brushed her hair affectionately. “I promised you he won’t lay a single finger even in your hair.” Because I will kill him myself once I get my hands on him again.

“And don’t beat yourself about what happened to Silena. It’s not your fault that the bastard is crazy. If it’s not you then it will just happen to someone else.” Colton reassured her.

“Like Quinn.” I added. “Remember. You saved her from his clutches. It’s just unfortunate that his attention shifted towards you.”

Kura gave us a small smile. “Thank you. Thank you both for being here with me. You are like the best men in my life.” Her expression suddenly turned serious. “But it would reassure me more if you don’t tell this to Quinn and the others. I don’t want them to worry.”

Colton and I looked at each other in mutual understanding before nodding at her.

“Whatever my queen wishes.”