Page 172 of Loving the Tormentor

"It's fine," I say through gritted teeth. It hurts like a fucking bitch, but I won’t tell her that. It was worth it, plain and simple, and I know it’ll forever be worth it.

"It's not fine, Achilles. You're the one who always taught me to be careful about my hands. What if?—"

"I want you to be the soloist."

"What?" It comes out of her mouth right away, as if she can’t process my request.

I shake my head, no hesitation in my voice. "Trust me, I can tell here and now that I’ll never be able to play again."

When that window exploded from my punch, I could tell how deep the cuts were. I would be surprised if there’s any part of my hand that hasn't been sliced through. Still, I can’t feel any regret. All I know is that she’s safe and alive. I’m relieved, slightly lightheaded from the pain, but nothing can take my happiness away when she’s by my side.

"Don't say that. You don't know."

She turns to the doctor, breathless. "You're going to be able to fix his hand, right? Right?"

I'm sitting on a chair opposite her bed, and a nurse is putting a needle in my arm to hook me up to an IV drip.

"Mon trésor,look at me." There’s a faint smile on my face. Just because I know she’s worth any pain I ever put myself through.

Her glossy eyes come back to mine.

"How could you do this to yourself? Playing the violin is what keeps you alive."

"Youkeep me alive. Raising our daughters together keeps me alive. Nothing matters if you're not by my side, Nyx. Your life against my hand? Against playing the violin? That's not even a choice. It's you. You, you, you. It'll always be you, okay?"

She nods, sobbing as her gaze keeps going back to my limp hand.

"Now, before those drugs they're pumping me with put me in a fucking coma," I say as I feel the dizziness overtake me. "Tell me you'll be the soloist for the concerto. Promise me."

She bites her tongue, trying to find her focus.

"I promise you."

"Good. I just wanted to make sure I didn't come back from the dead for no reason, you know?"

"I love you," she rasps.

"Oh, I fucking love you." My eyelids grow heavier, and I turn to the doc. "Somebody get her bubblegum before she chews her tongue off."

After that, it's total blackness. All I know is that loving Nyx Mayer was the best decision I ever made.

Epilogue

Nyx

In Your Arms – ILLENIUM, X Ambassadors

Six months later…

The conductor raises his baton, and I can hear the counting in my head.

3, 4…

My fingers move of their own accord, and a split second into the first note ofMon Trésor, the world disappears. All that exists is the masterpiece Achilles Duval created in my name. On this opening night, images flash in my mind as I play. The first time we met, the first time he actually noticed me. My obsession, my love. The way he reshaped my fear and taught me to let go. The tears, the screams in our story. The love and laughter. The selfish man he is and the selfless acts he did for me. Out of love, out of his belief that there was something better coming for us. My fiancé. My dreamer.

Behind me, the orchestra accompanies the concerto beautifully.

Achilles should’ve been playing this. He sacrificed his career and his passion to save my life, and as I look up at him tonight, following his every command like I love to, I wonder if this is what fate had in store for us all along.