Romance

  Aurora&#39;s Perspective
  The argument that ended so badly became a persistent thorn, pricking the days that followed with awkward silences between Lex and me. We still lived under the same roof, crossed paths at the dining table, passed each other on the training grounds, but something fundamental had shifted. I was no longer the sister he could casually tease or occasionally scold. He was no longer the brother I instinctively protected, thinking he just needed guidance. A sharp, fundamental disagreement on *what our future should be* now lay between us.
  In some ways, I still did as I pleased. Turn me into the demure, reserved young lady Mother and the elder women expected? Not a chance. I still trained myself to exhaustion, sparred with members of the guard who respected my skills, spoke sharply, and carried myself with defiance.
  But in other ways, I learned to compromise. Or mo

  Brett&#39;s Perspective
  You can get used to the smell of hospital antiseptic after a while. But I&#39;d long since moved out of the private observation room. It was too quiet. Too much like a cage, even a comfortable one. I&#39;d pestered the nurses until they moved Scarface and Luka into a larger shared room with me.
  The reason? &quot;Group therapy for psychological recovery.&quot; Bullshit. I just didn&#39;t want to be alone.
  The gruesome scar on Scarface&#39;s jaw had healed considerably under the med-pod and pack salves, but the mark remained stark. He was a man of few words, mostly leaning against his pillows, staring out the window or cleaning a dagger he&#39;d somehow acquired. Luka was younger, recovering his energy faster, always restless. He&#39;d pace the room softly to stay loose or try to engage Scarface or me in conversation, his eyes always gleaming with restless l

  Aurora&#39;s Perspective
  After the meeting, the heavy, almost suffocating pressure from the study seemed to cling to my skin like a film. I followed Lex out in silence through the thick wooden door, leaving Father, the uncles, and the shadow of that name—*Seyoum*—behind.
  The commotion in the front courtyard had died down considerably. The raw victory celebration had faded, giving way to the practical work of cleanup.
  Morning light had finally spread fully, revealing a cold, clear autumn day.
  Lex and I walked down the corridor toward the west wing, which housed the family&#39;s small infirmary and lounge area where Brett was presumably still under observation. Neither of us spoke. I was still processing the meeting&#39;s contents.
  Lex, I could tell, was already switching gears. The line of his jaw was tight, his gaze heavier than usual.
  We had just reached the small lounge o

Aurora&#39;s Perspective
  The argument that ended so badly became a persistent thorn, pricking the days that followed with awkward silences between Lex and me. We still lived under the same roof, crossed paths at the dining table, passed each other on the training grounds, but something fundamental had shifted. I was no longer the sister he could casually tease or occasionally scold. He was no longer the brother I instinctively protected, thinking he just needed guidance. A sharp, fundamental disagreement on *what our future should be* now lay between us.
  In some ways, I still did as I pleased. Turn me into the demure, reserved young lady Mother and the elder women expected? Not a chance. I still trained myself to exhaustion, sparred with members of the guard who respected my skills, spoke sharply, and carried myself with defiance.
  But in other ways, I learned to compromise. Or more accurately, I chose a different form of rebellion—a kind of tactical retreat. Lily didn&#39;t sa

Chapter 274