Xena''s POV


    so... do we have the day off tomorrow?" a young man next to Novak asked.


    You need to be ready in case something happens, but yes, you can rx, Ryder put his hand on my knee, as if to say it was time to go to bed.


    "Everyone get some sleep," I stood up and said. Ryder followed me out, and everyone said goodnight.


    "Why isn''t William back yet? I asked as we walked down the hallwa


    "I don''t know." Ryder''s hand settled on the small of my back as we climbed the stairs, his touch grounding me in a way that nothing else could. "I''ll mind-link him."


    "Okay."


    We reached our room, and Ryder paused at the door. "Still on the phone with Ama. She''s got Galen handling it, but it looks like it''s going to take a while."


    "That''s fine." The yawn escaped before I could stop it, my body finally catching up with the emotional exhaustion of the day.


    Tired?" His green eyes searched my face, concern flickering in their depths.


    "Yeah..." I shrugged, trying to y off how bone-deep weary I felt. Ryder unlocked our door and secured it behind us, the click of the lock somehow making the weight on my chest a little heavier.


    "Worried about tomorrow?" He moved to pour us both whiskey, the amber liquid catching themplight as I sank into the couch.


    "My father might die, and my brother will get the role he was born for." The words came out t, emotionless, but inside my chest felt like it was being crushed by stones. Each breath was a struggle against the suffocating weight of reality.


    "I think for someone in your father''s position, death might be a relief." Ryder sighed as he settled beside me, handing me the ss. His arm came around my shoulders, and I leaned into his warmth, taking a small sip of the burning liquid. "I''m going to miss him."


    "I know, but isn''t his happiness worth what he''s prepared your entire life for?"


    I looked at Ryder. He drained his whiskey in one smooth motion, his eyes never leaving mine. There was somethingplex in those green depths, something I couldn''t quite read. "It is, but Logan will be all the family I have left. Even though your parents are difficult... at least they''re alive. When you lose both parents, it feelspletely different." My voice tightened, the familiar ache of loss threatening to overwhelm me.


    "You still have Ama and Leonard. They''re like your siblings, and even though you and William constantly bicker, he seems like a brother too."


    "He is annoyingly brotherly." I let out a soft snort, grateful for the momentary lightness. Ryder leaned forward, setting down his empty ss.


    "Come on, let''s get some sleep." He stood and extended his hand to me. I epted it, downing the rest of my whiskey in one burning gulp. We walked to the bed together, and I went through the motions of undressing, pulling off my shorts, shirt, and underwear before grabbing one of his discarded shirts to sleep in. The fabric still carried his scent, warm and masculine a


    1. fe.


    Sliding under the covers, I felt Ryder pull me against him, his strong arms wrapping around me like a shield against the world. ''Sleep, baby. You''re safe here. You''re loved here."


    His words were thest thing I heard before darkness imed me.


    The next morning arrived too soon, bringing with it all the anxiety managed to d escape in sleep.


    You ready?" Ryder called from the doorway of our walk-in closet. I already showered, curled my hair, and applied my makeup, but now I stood in my matching underwear, staring at the wall of clothes like they were enemybatants.


    Ryder looked incredible in dark jeans that hugged his perfect ass and a fitted athletic shirt that showed off every defined muscle. Even in my current state, I couldn''t help but appreciate how devastating he looked.


    my hands were shaking, my legs wouldn''t stop trembling, "I don''t know what to wear." The anxiety was hitting me full force now and I had to fight to control the sweat threatening to ruin my carefully applied makeup. My heart was beating so fast I was sure it would burst from my chest.


    "Wear a dress or one of those romper things." Ryder stepped into the closet, surveying my options with the same intensity he brought to pack business. "This one. I love how you look in this."


    "You mean the romper?" Ryder lifted a deep purple flowing piece from its hanger. It had bubble sleeves at the shoulders, a cinched waist, and the hem hit mid- thigh. The front featured a shallow V-neck that was ttering without being too revealing. Honestly, this outfit made my legs look amazing.


    As I slipped it on, I realized I''d definitely lost some muscle mass. "I really need to start working out again."


    "How do your shoulders feel?" Ryder asked, watching me carefully as I adjusted the fabric,


    "They feel normal." I studied my reflection in the full-length mirror, and it was like looking at a stranger. Six months ago, if someone had told me I''d be preparing for dinner with my father - possibly ourst - because he was choosing death, I would have called them insane. My hair was longer now, the tight muscles I''d worked so hard for had softened, and my skin was pale as a ghost.


    "You''re beautiful. Ryder''s arms came around me from behind, his warmth pressing against my back, but the chill inside me remained.


    "I look like I need six months of working out in the sun to look normal again." I rolled my eyes, grabbing my purse and walking out of the closet. I knew I was rejecting hispliment, but he didn''t seem angry about it. He''d been worried about me all morning, even though he''d been trying to hide it. I could feel his concern radiating off him like heat, a gentle light trying to prate the darkness that seemed to follow me everywhere.


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