Nikolai's eyes opened to silence.
No alarms. No footsteps. Just the low hum of filtered air and the faint tick of a mechanical clock above the fireplace.
He was back in his chambers.
A faint light shone through the gaps of his black curtains, which helped block most of the sunlight. It was probably Selene who closed them to help avoid disturbing him. Nikolai noticed the scent of blood vanished, along with his dirty clothes. Though Selene and Leona helped clean and dress his wounds, the smell of ammonia didn't fade.
He tried to move, shifting to test his legs and arms, but the dull ache jolted down his spine, causing him to gasp and knock his phone onto the floor.
"You're awake?"
Selene's figure entered his view—she sat near the window, quietly reading a book.
A book about childcare and being a mother.
