Kaiden opened his eyes slowly, blinking as the morning light crept through the window. For the second time in what felt like forever, he'd actually had a good sleep. His body felt light, almost like he'd left his worries behind for a bit.
But that peace didn't last long.
The memory hit him fast "If you're not at the academy by the time I come back, I'll kill you."
Her words echoed in his head and his heart skipped. Damn it, she was serious too. That crazy goddess would never joked about killing him even if her words were starting to lose effect.
He jumped up from the bed so fast he nearly tripped over his robe. "Shit," he muttered, grabbing it and throwing it on. His hands were still half asleep, fumbling with the belt as he ran his fingers through his messy hair.
He swung the door open, ready to dash down the hall and froze.
Someone was already there, hand raised, about to knock.
His eyes widened slightly. "Maraya…?"
She looked different. Not in the way people change overnight, but in the way guilt makes someone look smaller. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and she wouldn't meet his eyes at first.
His sister.
He almost forgot how weird that word felt now. Sister. The same family that had left him bleeding out like a dog in the forest.
He stared at her in silence, taking a second to remember how things used to be. There were five of them — Darius, the eldest, the one everyone praised. Then the twins, Lucien and Selene, both sharp as blades. Maraya came next, always quiet, always trying to fit in. And then him… the youngest, the mistake, the one everyone underestimated.
And to think they all ganged up on him. Every single one of them. It was pathetic. Shameful.
"Umm… Kaiden," she finally said, her voice soft, trembling a little. "Do you have a minute?"
Her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked at her, face blank, no warmth at all.
"Be quick," he said flatly. "I don't have all day."
Maraya flinched at how cold he sounded. She nodded quickly, her hands fidgeting at the hem of her gown. It looked like she was struggling to even speak.
"I-I'm s-so… sorry," she stammered, barely getting the words out. "I had no idea that was what they were planning. They just told me to bring you out for a hunt, and when they… when they stabbed you, they threatened me. Said if I said anything, they'd put the blame on me."
She swallowed hard, eyes glistening as she looked at the floor.
Kaiden didn't move. He didn't blink either. He just stared at her like he was looking through her, not at her.
He knew she was telling the truth. She didn't have it in her to lie about something like that. Out of all of them, she was probably the only one who still had a bit of heart left.
But truth didn't matter much now. She might not have wanted to hurt him, but she still had a hand in it. Whether she was forced or not, she'd led him right into their trap.
"Is that all?" he asked quietly, almost like he was bored.
The words hit her harder than he expected.
Maraya's face twisted, her lips trembling. It looked like she was about to break down right there. And then she did something he didn't expect at all.
Thud.
She dropped to her knees.
He blinked, completely thrown off.
Thud.
Her head hit the floor next, and before he could even react, she was grabbing his feet, holding onto him like her life depended on it. Tears spilled down her cheeks as her voice cracked.
"You know I would never do anything to hurt you!" she cried. "I swear, Kaiden! I didn't know they were going to— I didn't know!"
He just stood there, frozen. Her words rang in his ears, but he didn't know what to feel anymore. Pity? Anger? Maybe both.
He looked down at her shaking hands, her hair covering her tear-streaked face, and for a second… just a small second… he almost believed her.
But that feeling passed just as fast as it came.
He sighed quietly, looking away. His heart felt heavy, but his face stayed blank.
Because deep down, he knew one thing—
Sorry didn't change what she did.
And even if he forgave her, he'd never forget.