Chapter 96 Ninety six
DANIKA
Water droplets cling to my skin when I step out of the bathroom the next morning with a towel wrapped snugly around me. Kaziel's side of the bed had been empty earlier, and as much as I worry about him, I chose not to suffocate him with it. Once I'm fully dressed, I head out of the room. The smell of something rich and warm drifts into my nose, making my mouth water. I follow the scent down the hallway, my stomach grumbling.
In the dining room, a wonderful sight greets me. My man stands at the table with the black sleeves of his shirt rolled up and an apron tied around his waist. He's setting plates carefully. Sunlight slips in through the window, catching in his hair and outlining the super broad line of his shoulders.
"Good morning," I say softly.
He turns at the sound of my voice, a smile tugging at his lips. He crosses the room in a few long strides and presses a kiss to my forehead, lingering there.
"Morning, dove," he murmurs. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I answer honestly.
A corner of his mouth lifts. "Good."
But he doesn't look at me properly. My heart sinks as my gaze drifts up and I see it. One of his eyes is pitch black again.
He must've sensed my gaze, his jaw tightens slightly. "I'll be heading out later," he says, stepping back to give me space. "There are a few things I need to set up before tonight."
I swallow hard, forcing a smile. "Okay."
Relief overshadows the fear. He's not backing out. He's still moving forward.
Kaziel unties the apron, folding it neatly and setting it aside. Then he crouches in front of me.
"Kaz—"
He presses a gentle kiss to my stomach.
"Morning, little one," he murmurs softly. "Please don't stress your mama out today. She needs all the rest she can get."
I cup his jaw, my thumb brushing along his cheek as I tuck a stray lock of hair back from his face. His stubble scratches lightly against my palm.
"You're very charming," I tell him. "Our baby's going to be completely spoiled."
He hums. "As they should be."
He still won't meet my eyes.
"You know," I add, tilting his chin just enough to try and catch his gaze, "you look gorgeous this morning."
That finally gets him. He shakes his head, laughing softly. "I don't feel gorgeous, sweetheart."
I bite my lower lip, desperate to make him feel better. He rises slowly to his feet.
"You don't have to worry about me, Dani. I'm alright," he says, and I sigh. How can I not worry?
"Have breakfast with me?" I suggest, and he beams.
"Of course."
...
Hours later,
I look up from the borrowed notes on the desk, Cora's note to be precise. Kaziel had left right after breakfast, and judging from the sound of the door opening, he's back. Rising to my feet, I walk out of the room, nearly bumping into my mate. He freezes, and so do I. He looks...agitated. His chest is heaving, and his eyes are wild. Even his hands are balled into fists.
"Kaz?" I say carefully, and he clenches his jaw. I have to be sure he's still in control.
He flares his nostrils and brings a hand to my shoulder to move me out of the way, and my heart plummets.
"What's wrong?" I ask, and he growls angrily under his breath. I've never seen him like this.
"Not now, Danika. Please, stay out of my way," he deadpans and storms away, leaving me to gape at his figure.
Something is very wrong.
Do I stay put or go after him? I fiddle with my fingers, my heart pounding hard. Inside his study, Kaziel curses loudly, and I flinch, confused.
Worried out of my mind, I slowly inch towards his study and knock on the door.
"Kaz?" I whisper, running my teeth over my lower lip.
The door jerks open, and he stands there, his brows deeply furrowed.
"Talk to me, baby. Please," I say in a small voice, and he lets out a grunt of frustration, storming inside the study. He begins to pace with one hand on his hip and the other gripping his hair.
"You really shouldn't be anywhere around me right now, Dani," he tells me, and my throat goes dry.
"I'm just...worried."
He flinches, holding his hands to his ears. "Shut the FUCK UP!"
My eyes go wide. He grimaces, mumbling an apology.
"Kaz—"
With a shaky hand, he takes out his phone and hands it to me. "Call Aaron."
"What? Why?" I rasp.
He leans against his desk, clutching at his head.
"I don't...fuck...um...tell him to bring the chains."
My blood runs cold in my veins. "What?"
"I'm going mad, alright?" He grits out, scratching at his hair. My eyes snag on the patch of skin half hidden by his collar. It looks like he scratched it until it tore open. Nausea instantly washes over me.
"Call him NOW!" He thunders, rising from the desk and moving over to the wall. I fumble to unlock his phone with shaky hands. And that's when he smacks his head against the wall so hard, I scream.
Blood splatters on the wall.
It happens so fast my brain refuses to register it at first. Kaziel staggers back, his breathing heavy.
"Kaz—NO!" I scream.
He slams his head again.
"STOP—please—!" My voice breaks as I rush to him, my hands shaking as I grab his shoulders and wrench him away from the wall. His body is burning under my palms, his muscles rigid. Blood drips from his forehead, sliding down the bridge of his nose.
"Okay—okay!" I sob, panicking. "I'm calling him—Kaz, I'm calling him, okay?!"
His hands claw at his own hair, his nails digging into his scalp like he's trying to tear something out of his skull. He lets out a sound that isn't quite a growl and isn't quite a scream.
"HURRY," he grits out. "Dani—before I—"
I don't let him finish.
My fingers fumble with his phone so badly I nearly drop it. I hit Aaron's contact with a shaking thumb and press the phone to my ear, pacing helplessly as Kaziel staggers against the desk, knocking into it hard enough to rattle everything on top.
"Pick up—please—please pick up—" I whisper frantically.
Kaziel slams his fist into the wall this time, a roar tearing from his chest. I yelp, tears pricking my eyes.
"Aaron!" I cry the second the line connects. "It's happening...he's hurting himself...he told me to call you, please, please—"
"I'm on my way," Aaron says immediately. "Where are you?"
"His study—please hurry—he's bleeding—"
"I'm coming," he repeats. "Keep him grounded. Do not let him be alone. Distract him."
The line goes dead, and my chest caves in.
"Kaz," I choke, dropping the phone and rushing back to him as his knees buckle. I catch him just in time, pulling him against me as his weight crashes into my body. He's shaking hard now, his blood warm against my hands.
"Baby, please," I sob, wrapping my arms around him as tight as I can. "Please snap out of it. Please—look at me—look at me—"
He thrashes weakly, his head dropping forward.
"I don't want to hurt you," he gasps. "I don't—Dani—I don't—"
"I know," I cry, pressing my forehead to his, tears soaking into his hair.
My hands cradle his face, but then he pulls away and growls, pushing back up to his feet.
My brain is scrambling in desperation. I have to distract him, but how?
My eyes dart to his belt, and I wince as the thought hits.
"Let me suck your cock!" I cry, and he freezes. He tilts his head towards me, and for the first time since he came in, I have his full attention. Now, I'm not sure if that's a good thing.
"You?" He drawls, and I gulp, nodding.
He throws his head back and lets out a cruel laugh.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He demands.
At least he's talking. That's progress, right?
"No," I say, licking my lower lip while trying to ignore the heat rushing to my cheeks. I can't believe I'm talking about dicks in such a dire moment.
"You think this is a game?" he snarls.
"No," I snap, despite the terror screaming in my chest. "I think you're losing control, and I refuse to watch you tear yourself apart."
He leans back against the desk hard, knocking something over.
"You're insane," he mutters.
"Probably," I say hoarsely. "But you're listening to me. Look at you. You're here."
His burning gaze drags over me, and for a moment I don't know if he's going to pull me close or shove me away.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing?" he asks, his voice rough.
"I'm keeping you with me," I say. "That's all."
His lips curl into a predatory smile, and shivers run down my spine.
"You'll regret being so mouthy," he says.
"Make me," I whisper, squaring my shoulders.
A low growl vibrates out of him as he settles back with his legs spread, bracing his hands behind him.
"Go on," he says. "Distract me."