Fracture and flames

Fracture and flames
I went to the kitchen I had just finished my training with Lira — my muscles ached, my arms trembled, but there was a strange satisfaction in the pain. For the first time in so long, I felt alive. Strong, even if only a little. But that fleeting confidence didn’t last long.

“Wow, wow, look at you,” Amera’s voice sliced through the air, dripping with mockery. “You’ve been in training today, huh?”

Her smirk was sharp as a knife, and her eyes — cold and gleaming — followed every move I made. I ignored her and walked straight to the counter, grabbing a cup of water. My throat burned from hours of sparring, and I told myself she wasn’t worth responding to. The water was cool against my tongue, grounding me in silence.

But Amera didn’t like silence.

As I turned to leave, she stepped in front of me, blocking the doorway. Her arms were crossed, chin tilted in arrogance. “Are you ignoring me now?” she asked, one brow raised.

“I don’t want an argument today, Amera.” My voice came out low and tired. I wasn’t afraid of her—just done with her endless taunts.

She laughed, a mocking sound that echoed around the quiet kitchen. “Who said I wanted to argue? I’m just asking if it’s true you were training. That’s all.”

I looked her straight in the eyes. “And what if I was? What’s it to you?”

“Oh, come on, Selene,” she sneered, stepping closer, close enough that I could smell the perfume she always wore — sweet but suffocating. “You can train all you want, swing your little blades, shoot your arrows. But in the end, you’ll still be what you’ve always been — weak. Useless. Cursed.”

I swallowed hard, my jaw tightening. Those words used to pierce deep, but this time I forced myself not to flinch. My heart still ached, yes — but I wasn’t going to show it. Not anymore.

“Well, we’ll see about that, Amera,” I said evenly, brushing past her shoulder. My voice was steady, though my blood burned beneath my skin.

She let out a cruel little laugh as I walked away. “Keep dreaming, Selene. You’ll need it.”

Her words echoed in my mind as I made my way down the hall. I repeated them over and over until they lost their sting, until they became something else — fuel. Each insult became a reason to push harder, to prove them wrong.

But before I could reach my room, I stopped short.

Aeron was standing at the end of the corridor, his tall figure cast in the dim light from the sunlight. The moment our eyes met, the world seemed to narrow into silence. His expression was unreadable — somewhere between concern and something softer, something that hurt to look at.

My chest tightened. Every instinct in me wanted to run to him, to ask him why everything between us had to fall apart. But my mind screamed louder — reminding me that he had chosen Amera. That he had turned away when I needed him most.

So instead, I lowered my gaze and kept walking.

“Selene,” he said quietly, his voice deep but urgent.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t trust my voice not to betray me.

When I tried to pass, his hand shot out and caught my arm. His grip was firm — too firm — and I froze. The warmth of his touch burned against my skin, igniting all the memories I’d buried: his laughter, his promise, the way he once looked at me like I was the only one in the world.

“Let me go,” I said, my tone sharper than I intended.

“Wait,” he said quickly, tightening his hold. “I just wanted to tell you — I’m leaving for Fangwood tonight with Amera.”

I blinked, confused and a little startled. “And why are you telling me this?”

He hesitated, his thumb brushing unconsciously against my wrist. “Because I want you to be careful while I’m gone. Things have been tense lately. You shouldn’t wander alone, especially after dark.”

I looked up at him then, and my heart ached at the worry in his eyes. For a second, I almost softened. Almost. But then I remembered Amera’s smirk, her voice calling me weak, and how Aeron had said nothing.

“You don’t need to inform me of your plans,” I said coldly. “She’s your Luna soon, not me. So do what you want — I don’t care.”

“Selene, it’s not like that—”

“Then what is it like?” I snapped, yanking my arm free. His hand fell to his side, fingers curling in frustration. “You stand there worrying about me, but you never stood for me. Not once.”

He looked pained, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.

For a heartbeat, the world was utterly still — only the flickering torchlight and the soft sound of my breath between us. I saw the regret in his eyes, but it was too late. The cracks between us had turned into a chasm.

Without another word, I turned and walked away.

My footsteps echoed down the wooden hall, each one heavier than the last. When I finally reached my room, I closed the door behind me and pressed my back against it, trembling. The anger that had held me upright began to fade, replaced by a hollow ache deep in my chest.

I sank to the floor, covering my face with my hands. “Why do I still care?” I whispered into the quiet. “Why can’t I just stop?”

Outside, the noon wind howled softly against the windows, as if answering my question. I drew a deep breath, forcing the tears back. I had cried enough for Aeron. Enough for everyone who saw me as nothing but a curse.

I walked to the window and looked out toward the forest in the distance — the Fangwood. Soon, Aeron would be there with her. The thought stung, but I lifted my chin.

Fine. Let him go. Let him see what he’s chosen.

I had made my vow already: I would train, I would grow stronger, and when the time came, they would all see that Selene — the cursed girl, the weak one — could rise from the ashes they threw her in.

No more weakness. No more silence.

Tomorrow, I would train harder.
Tomorrow, I would take another step toward the strength I had promised myself.