Chapter 3

I opened my mouth to answer—

Behind me, footsteps slammed across the courtyard.

And Darius was there, shoving himself between us like a shield.

"She's the nameless orphan we took in ten years ago." His voice was tight. Clipped.

"Nothing important. Forgive her appearance—she doesn't know how to greet guests properly. Pay her no mind."

Then he turned and snapped over his shoulder.

"Go wash yourself. Now. Don't you dare shame this family."

I bowed my head and walked away.

As I passed Silas, I heard him whisper to himself—so soft I almost missed it.

"An orphan? That doesn't…"

There was confusion in his voice. Something deeper than idle curiosity.

I didn't stop.

. . .

Behind me, I heard Sera rush out to greet him. She pulled Silas aside, her shoulders curled the way they always were when she was nervous. Speaking quickly. Looking up at him through her lashes.

I couldn't hear what they said.

But after a few moments, whatever Silas told her made her face light up. The tension melted from her shoulders. She laughed, soft and bright, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Beside me, Darius let out a long, shaking breath. The hard line of his jaw finally eased.

He didn't look at me when he spoke.

"I was out of line yesterday. I'm sorry."

I blinked. I hadn't expected that.

He kept his eyes fixed on the two of them in the courtyard.

"You see how happy she is?" He nodded toward Sera, who was laughing, showing Silas her new ceremonial beads.

"They're good together, Elara. So I'm asking you—begging you—don't come between them. Please."

And just like that, I understood everything.

The reason for his rage that first night. The way he'd watched me. The hatred in his eyes that hadn't yet had time to grow.

Darius had come back too.

He remembered everything. Every ugly thing he had done. And now he was trying, in his broken way, to undo it by keeping me away.

I drew in a slow breath.

"You don't have to beg, brother," I said quietly.

"I only want to repay Mother and Father's kindness. I want Sera to be happy."

His shoulders sagged. "Good. That's good."

He swallowed.

"Then we can all… we can all have the ending we deserve."

I nodded, and turned, and walked back to my room.

. . .

Outside, I could hear the courtyard come alive again.

Sera's laugh, bright and unburdened. Silas's low voice, steady and warm.

The clink of porcelain as Mother poured tea for the guests.

I lay down on my bed and pulled the cover over my shoulders.

*Let it go, Elara. They're alive. All of them. That's the only ending that matters.*

I listened to my sister laugh until the sound dissolved into something soft and far away, and somewhere in there, I drifted off.

I didn't know how long I'd been asleep.

The world was still dark when my door slammed open hard enough to crack against the wall.

Darius stood in the doorway. Eyes burning red. Chest heaving like he'd run the length of the Territory to get here.

He crossed the room in two strides and yanked me up by the front of my clothes.

The slap landed before I'd even fully opened my eyes.

My head snapped sideways. My ear rang.

"You're a liar." His voice was shaking.

"I knew it. I knew you wouldn't let it go."

I couldn't breathe. My cheek was on fire.

His grip tightened.

"Where is she?" he snarled.

"Where did you take Sera?"