Nero - Revenge never tasted better

Chapter 17 - The Syndrome (Part 1)

The night's frosty embrace clung to my bedroom robe as I ventured into the snow-covered garden, its ethereal whiteness casting eerie shadows. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was plunging headfirst into a quagmire of danger, the frigid air doing little to dispel the suffocating fear that enveloped me.

Aiyden's audacious attempts to grab my attention by pelting my window with gravels had given me a shock. It was a display of boldness so characteristic of him, always ready to take risks for the sake of those he cared about. My mind whirled with questions. What had driven him to resort to such a daring method of communication? Had he unearthed vital information? Was there an imminent crisis demanding our immediate attention?

I treaded gingerly through the garden, the snow beneath my slippers announcing my presence with each crunchy step, the sound magnified in the hush of the night. It served as a stark reminder of the perilous game I now played, where every move, every sound, carried the potential to unveil me to danger.

The dark outlines of trees stood sentinel in the garden; their gnarled branches laden with snow. The night's eerie stillness was broken only by the muffled sound of my breath, crystallizing in the frigid air. I couldn't afford to be seen or heard; the consequences could be fatal.

My approach was cautious, every step calculated to minimize noise and maximize stealth. I couldn't risk alerting anyone in the house, particularly Nicodemo or Thomas. They rested in blissful ignorance, far removed from my clandestine affairs.

The final stretch of my journey was the most treacherous—a mere few feet from my destination. Aiyden had stationed himself beneath my window, using the cover of night to mask his presence. However, it was this proximity to the lion's den that made my heart race with dread. The risk of exposure was a constant threat, heightened by the possibility of one of them awakening and discovering Aiyden's intrusion.

As I drew nearer to where he stood, I couldn't resist scolding him for his chosen method of communication. "Aiyden, seriously? Rocks at my window? Is this your idea of a grand romantic gesture?" I quipped, my tone a mixture of annoyance and endearment.

The words hung in the frigid air for a moment before being swallowed by the silence. But Aiyden's response was far from humorous. When his gaze met mine, any hint of playfulness evaporated, replaced by a raw and profound emotion.

In that fleeting moment, my irritation and concerns evaporated. The intensity in his eyes, a cocktail of relief, fear, and longing, rendered me speechless. Without words, he closed the distance between us with swift strides. His embrace, when it came, was unlike any other. It was fierce and unyielding, as though I were a fragile dream slipping through his grasp. And in some ways, I had slipped away, drawn into the abyss of my own secrets and deceptions.

He held me in a tight embrace, the pressure almost crossing into discomfort, but I welcomed it eagerly. In his arms, I found sanctuary from the foreboding night.

His fingers found solace in the strands of my hair, their tactile exploration a testament to the overwhelming need to confirm my presence. I felt his warm breath on my skin as he pressed his cheek against mine, his lips brushing against my earlobe, and a shiver of delight coursed through me.

The snowflakes continued their elegant descent from the inky sky, each one as unique as the winding paths our lives had taken in this dystopian city. The biting cold of the night air nipped at our skin, yet I didn't mind. His warmth enveloped me, a reassuring barrier against the chill, and I wished I could remain there forever. I couldn't help but admire the strength in his arms, the unwavering firmness of his hold.

He pulled back slightly, his gaze never wavering from my face as he scanned it for any hint of harm. His concern radiated with such intensity, an unspoken plea for the reassurance that I was okay. His concern for my safety was a constant undercurrent in our tumultuous relationship, an unspoken truth that bound us together.