No. 29: Scented Candle

The aromas of lavender and frankincense permeated the room as Tamar and Tolya lit specially infused candles of vigil for the man lying in the bed. Zoya didn't believe in prayer. Even after she'd embodied a living Saint herself, her faith was in her own strength and not the power of figures long dead. Too many of them weren't even heroes, she'd learned the hard way.

But in this case, none of her strength of will or powers could fix this. Nikolai had been poisoned with jurda parem. It would have killed any other otkazat'sya, but the demon inside Nikolai had protected him. From instant death, anyway. Now he was fighting for his life, and none of them could do anything to help him. Not even the antidote had worked, the demon apparently making him immune to the one thing that could save it. Zoya sat by Nikolai's bedside, hands furled into fists of frustration and anger at the Darkling's curse, their enemies bent on destroying them, and the world at large for its savage apathy.

Genya stood on the other side of the bed, moving her hands slowly over Nikolai. Her expression was carefully schooled as she took her time, but after several long moments, she drew back and her shoulders sank. Zoya appreciated her determination to keep trying, even though Grisha healing hadn't done much thus far. Nikolai twitched and shivered as the drug ravaged his body. Sweat gleamed across his pale brow, and Zoya grabbed a damp cloth to wipe it away.

She heard the click of the window latch and turned in irritation toward whomever had opened it to let a chill in. It was Tolya, and he stood at the sill, gazing out at something.

"The streets are glowing with candles for him," he commented.

Genya went around the bed to look.

Zoya stayed with Nikolai. She didn't care about a few people's devotion to their former king; what good did their prayers do?

"Zoya," Genya called softly.

"What?"

"Come here."

With a beleaguered sigh, Zoya got up and went to the window. The sight that greeted her took her breath away. It wasn't just a few candles; it was hundreds. They lined the streets outside the palace, casting soft yellow hues over flowers and small statues of Saints set beside them. And among them all were throngs of people gathered in vigilant prayer.

"Saints," she murmured.

Nikolai had abdicated the throne to Zoya because he'd believed it was what was best for Ravka, but she knew he also believed the people would fear or hate him now that the demon had been revealed. Neither could have imagined how wrong they were. And it warmed Zoya's heart to see that the people still loved the king that had sacrificed everything for them.

She turned and went back to her love's side, taking his hand in hers. "You have to pull through this, Nikolai. You have to come back and see this. How much you're loved." She lowered her voice. "I love you."

Now would have been the time to make her believe in miracles if he had opened his eyes and given her that smile of his. But he didn't. He remained trapped in his febrile unconsciousness, completely unaware of the spectacle outside his window. Zoya dropped her head onto their joined hands and fought back the tears.

Another hand settled on Zoya's shoulder, and she looked up at Tamar.

"Don't lose hope," the Heartrender said.

"I've never had hope," Zoya replied bitterly.

Tamar just gave her a sympathetic look. "That's all right; the rest of us have enough for the both of you."

Zoya knew the woman meant it to be a comfort, though it wasn't, not to her. Still, there was something awe-inspiring about the vigil taking place outside, and so she didn't bark at someone to close the window despite the nightly chill. She simply tucked the blanket up higher around Nikolai's shoulders and stayed in her spot. The scents of the candles were soothing, in a way, adding a calm tranquility to an otherwise tense scene. Zoya found herself being lulled into sleepiness, and though she tried to fight it, she eventually laid her head down on the side of the bed and closed her eyes.

A gentle touch on her head roused her, and she jerked upward, her reflexes expecting an invasion of personal space. But then she realized the offending hand was right next to her, and Nikolai's open eyes were gazing blearily at her.

Her breath left her in a rush and she leaned forward to smooth back his hair. "Nikolai?"

He gave her a tired quarter-smile, but it was enough. Zoya straightened and looked around frantically for the others. Tolya and Tamar were seated on the floor, eyes closed in prayer. Genya had fallen asleep in a chair.

"He's awake," Zoya called.

The twins immediately opened their eyes and got to their feet. Tolya was closest to Genya and shook her awake, and they all crowded around the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Genya asked even as she moved her hands over him.

"Wrecked," he replied huskily. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" Zoya asked worriedly. "You got dosed with parem."

His eyes widened. "I remember. I mean what happened after…that's a blank. Did it affect the demon…?"

"No," Tolya quickly answered. "You didn't hurt anyone."

Nikolai sagged back against the pillow. "Thank the Saints."

"The drug is working its way out of your system," Genya declared. "I think you'll be okay now that the worst is past."

They could all breathe easier now.

Nikolai's eyes slid closed in obvious exhaustion. "Smells nice in here," he mumbled as slumber overtook him again.

Zoya smiled and carded her fingers through his hair. Maybe there was something to prayer after all.