Chapter 46 Chapter 46

Chapter 46 Chapter 46
Liora’s POV

We did not stay long at the caves. We couldn’t.
So, after pulling myself together and making sure I did not look like the total mess I was, we decided to go back home, before we would risk getting caught.

I felt the tension exuding in waves almost as soon as I stepped inside the building.
I sighed heavily, my mood instantly souring as I quietly made my way to my room.
I padded as softly as possible against the wooden floors, as I tried to avoid her noticing I was back. But I knew that she always knew.

The door to her study was open, but thankfully, she did not stop me.
Instead, someone else did.
My lovely younger brother, Caelum, yanked me by the arm and dragged me straight into his room, my yelp muffled by his hand.

“Caelum, what's going on?!” I asked, as soon as he shut the door behind us.

“What did you do to Mother? She's…” he trailed off, as he turned to look at me, “Oh… What happened to you?”

He made a weird face as he eyed me, and I frowned in response.
What?...

My hands patted my face in confusion as I walked to his mirror.
And my goodness did I look terrible.

My eyes were swollen and red, my robe was dusty, my hair that was previously carefully pinned in place, was now in disarray, and I looked like I had seen the depths of all things terrible.

I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my lips.
This was what I looked like when he kissed me and called me beautiful?!

He told me I looked perfect, just before we split. This was perfect?! That liar!
“Darn you, Kysen” I whispered underneath my breath.

“What?” Caelum asked, and I tensed.

“Nothing,” I said, with a fake smile, hoping he didn't hear what I said.

“What happened to you? Have you been crying?” he asked and I sighed, before walking towards his neatly laid bed and sprawling across it.

He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at me from where he stood, “Get up. Your clothes are dirty, you’re going to mess up my bed.”

I rolled my eyes, before shifting my body, sinking even further into the bed with a satisfactory sigh.

He groaned, “Ugh, you're so annoying”

“But you love me” I stated.

“Like I have a choice,” he said, sighing softly, before he settled down beside me.

“I was going to ask what you did to Mother because she looked so sullen when she got back. But you… You look even worse, you look terrible. So I think I should be asking you what she did to you instead” he explained, and I sucked in a sharp breath as I played the events over in my head. One by one.

“If it's so hard to talk about, you know you can just show me,” he said, as he stretched his hand to me in question.
My eyes widened, as I reflexively put up my mind barrier to keep him out.

“No, no, it's fine” I said, and he nodded in response, before dropping his hand.

He would flip if he ever saw visions of Kysen and I kissing.
I made a mental note to always be on guard around him.
He would never do it without my consent, except we were messing around, but still…
I had to be very careful.

I sat up, now facing him, my mind going in circles as I thought of what to say to him.
He watched me, his eyes studying my every move. It almost felt like he could see through me, and it made me so nervous, that I could barely concentrate.

“She slapped me,” I blurted out, without really thinking.

His mouth fell open.
“She did what?!”

I shrugged non chalantly, like I really did not feel a thing, which was a complete lie.
“Yup, she did”

“That's… that has never happened before. What did you do?” He asked and I shut my eyes like it was a nightmare I absolutely did not want to remember.

“It wasn't anything serious. I think she just hates me” I said, as I shrugged again, moving to lay down again, but Caelum stopped me.

“Don't. We're not done” he said, and I rolled my eyes dramatically.

I groaned, “Ugh, come on! What else?”

“Tell me exactly what happened in detail,” he said and I sighed tiredly.
He was not going to let me go until he got what he wanted.

So, I gave him what he wanted. I told him everything, down to every single detail. Of course, I left out the part where I had my lips locked with Kysen's, for obvious reasons.

He was quiet after, as he slowly tried to process everything I told him.
I sprawled across the bed again, as I waited for him, staring at his ceiling.

It was not exactly so surprising that she slapped me. I mean, yes, it was the first time she had ever slapped any of us, but I was not so surprised about it.
It was more of the events that led up to it…
I still wasn't sure exactly what I did that was so wrong.

Caelum’s sigh knocked me out of my thoughts.
I turned away from his plain colored ceiling to look at him.
He lowered his body, and lay right beside me.
My eyes didn't leave him.

He looked deep in thought. I could tell the situation baffled him as much as it did me.
Maybe even more.

I turned back to staring at the ceiling.

“Liora?” He called.

“Hm?” I hummed in response.

“It's not true,” he said and I raised a brow in question.

“What's not true?” I asked.

“You said she hates you. She doesn't. It's not true,” he said and I scoffed, but it came out softer than intended.

“Right,” I said. I wasn't in the mood to hear all the non-existent reasons why she does not hate me.

He sighed again, “You might not believe me now, and that's valid. It's completely fine. But it's the truth, she does not hate you.”

I hummed in response again.
I wasn't going to argue with him.

“So, you cried?” he said, somewhat changing the topic.

“I did not” I said, refusing to admit it.

He chuckled softly.
“Then, why are your eyes so red and swollen?” he asked.

“I didn't sleep too well overnight. Plus, I flew too fast on my way back and too much breeze got in my eye” I said, but he obviously did not buy my lies.
I was a terrible liar. Kysen was right.
Again.

I controlled the smile that threatened to break loose at the thought of him.
Oh dear Green, I was so gone.