Chapter 26 #2
I crossed my arms, refusing to retreat under the weight of his fury. “They were trying to protect their families, Aiden. That doesn’t make it right, but you're acting like your above secrets?” I met his gaze steadily. “You’re not exactly being honest, either.”
His expression sharpened. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure your nightly walks aren’t just walks.” My voice stayed even, though my heart raced.
He scoffed, letting out a cold, humorless laugh as he ran a hand through his hair. “That’s what you’re worried about?” He shook his head. “We’re on the edge of war, Ruin, and you’re grilling me about where I go at night? Gods, stop defending traitors.”
“Your father never would’ve done this.” The words were out before I could stop them. The reaction was instant. The bond flared, hot and violent, and the shadows surged, curling thick and restless at our feet. Aiden’s eyes went pitch black, that eerie Moon God sheen overtaking them.
“Well, he isn’t here, is he?” he barked, his voice cracking with fury. I didn’t retreat.
“I know, Aid.” I said softly. “And I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t have said that.” I swallowed; the nickname hit like a balm.
The shadows stilled. Thinned. Receded like smoke caught in a sudden breeze.
Aiden exhaled a ragged breath and collapsed back into the chair, hands braced against his knees.
For the first time since I’d walked in, he looked… undone.
“It was a demon,” he said, barely above a whisper.
“What?” I blinked.
“The thing impersonating my father,” he continued, voice hollow. “It wasn’t him. It was a demon.”
My breath caught. “A demon?” I echoed, stepping closer. “I thought those were myths.”
“So did I.” He nodded once. “But whatever darkness is leaking out of Celetian is drawing them out.” He let out a tired sigh before meeting my gaze again.
“I confronted it. Tried to get answers. But before it mentioned anything, before I could understand why, it exploded. Gone.” He leaned forward, forearms on his thighs, head dropping.
“I don’t even know if my father is alive,” he whispered.
“Let alone if I even care.” I didn’t hesitate.
I just moved. I dropped to my knees in front of him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
He stiffened for a heartbeat, then his arms came around me like a lifeline.
Tight. Desperate. He buried his face in my neck, and I felt it all through the bond.
The fear. The grief. The weight he’d been carrying alone.
“Don’t say that,” I whispered, holding him tighter. “We’ll find the truth. We’ll survive this. Together.” His grip tightened in response.
After a moment of silence, still wrapped in our embrace, Aiden finally spoke. “I’m terrified, Ruin,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He leaned back, running a hand through his hair, gaze darting toward the defense maps scattered across the desk. His jaw flexed.
He looked more vulnerable than I’d ever seen him: raw, exposed, human.
“I’m not cut out to lead an entire academy.
Especially not through a war I don’t even know how to start fighting,” he added, voice rough with quiet frustration.
I remained kneeling in front of him, watching the weight of the world crush his usually unshakable composure.
Slowly, I reached out and took his hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Aiden… you are powerful,” I said, trying to ground him. “You’ve been leading the Apollo Unit better than anyone could have. You earned their trust. And people listen when you speak, even when you’re being a stubborn ass.” His lips twitched slightly, but the fear didn’t fade from his eyes.
“Ruin, that’s like forty students. This? This is a thousand souls depending on me to keep them alive. How are they, barely trained cadets, supposed to fight a full army?” he asked, shaking his head. His words cut deep because I’d thought them, too. But I couldn’t let fear win.
“Aiden, look at me,” I said, firmer. When his gaze met mine, I held it.
“If anyone can do this, it’s you. And you’re not doing it alone, okay?
I’m with you. We are strong enough. This bond—it’s not just fate.
It’s preparation. We were made for this.
For fighting back.” I didn’t know where the words came from, maybe Hemera’s hope, maybe my own, but I felt them in my bones.
He needed to hear them. “You’re a leader,” I stated, more confidently now.
“A real one. And no matter what comes, we’ll fight.
Together.” A long pause passed. Then, something in him shifted.
Aiden’s shoulders relaxed a little, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Still always the optimistic one,” he murmured, almost fondly.
“But you’re right. We have to do this. No one else is going to.
” His fingers lifted, brushing lightly against my cheek in a slow, aching motion.
I froze under his touch, resisting the urge to lean in.
His gaze was intense, laden with unspoken things.
“Thank you… Rynlee,” he whispered, the sound of my full name on his lips sending a flutter through my chest.
I swallowed, trying to regain composure.
“Of course. I mean, you may be the biggest pain in my ass, but you’re strong, Aiden.
Don’t forget that.” I stood, stepping back before I did something reckless.
Something that would make things more complicated than they already were.
After all, I wasn’t sure if these were my true feelings.
Aiden chuckled, the sound low and rich. It vibrated through me, warming places I didn’t want to admit existed.
“Well… you’re a pain, too, sunshine,” he teased, but his tone softened. “Just be careful, alright? And whatever else you find out… tell me. No more secrets.”
“I will…” I paused at the door, glancing back at him with a playful smirk. “Commander.” Then I slipped out before I could see the way his eyes lingered on me.