(Alnilam)

I rush to the palace in search of Rigel. Upon arriving I learn that Alnitak has gained consciousness so I go to his room. They have to leave here as urgently as possible.

"Take him to the academy and stay with Amaia," I instruct Mintaka.

"Yes, Amaia said the same."

Alnitak still appears disoriented as my gaze takes him in.

"You feeling okay?" Bending down, I rub Alnitak’s forehead.

"A little. My head hurts," he quietly says. That smile and golden shine his eyes always carry has dimmed. I hate seeing my brother like that and I know the memories must be returning to him too. He is so disoriented for now that he doesn’t know how to cope with it.

"TJ will have a look. Go with Min and stay there until I come back," I softly say to him and he nods.

"I wish to see Amaia. She will be there, right?"

"Yes, she is waiting for you. There is a lot we need to tell you both." With that I turn my attention towards Min.

"Where is mama and father?"

"A team from Istrale has arrived to discuss the case of Amaia and us leaving Istrale so suddenly. They are busy in negotiations," Mintaka informs me.

Knowing what I do now, I am not going to trust their judgement. We are going to be the ones to protect Amaia.

They must have figured out that we took Aziel and want him back.

"I will speak with them and find you guys later." Mintaka helps Alnitak up and I call two sentinels to safely escort my brothers back to the academy.

I want them out of the palace when our so-called mother is busy.

Every moment spent with her flashes in front of my eyes now that I remember all those moments when she stared at me like I was the biggest disappointment of her life.

The times she berated me, more than my father. It made me wonder why my father changed his behaviour with me, overnight.

Now that I know what she is capable of, is it possible she cursed him too?

Alnitak and Mintaka were usually spared, I guess inheriting her traits, made her give them a pass at times.

But, me—she hated just like she hated Rigel and Saiph.

I have to find Rigel before my mother does.

I have a feeling that Rigel will go to his mother’s room. The only place he will feel safe and closer to her before rushing over to Istrale.

I can’t let him do that alone. It will be a suicide mission.

Quietly walking to the door of Queen Adrnia’s room, I place my hand on it and push it open.

It creaks slightly. I enter the place with unhurried steps. My brother, I find huddled on the floor, near the foot of the bed. He is holding his mother’s diary like a lifeline. The pain is so immense on his sharp features which resembles none of us.

Carefully, I close the door behind him and approach him. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Sliding down beside him, I place my hand on his hunched-up shoulders. His shadows have flattened against the floor as if in defeat.

"Rigel!" I emotionally say and he hangs his head low. Letting his hair obscure his face from me.

"I don’t understand how someone can be this cruel..." he heavily breathes out, every word a testimony of his pain.

"She tortured and raped me for 19 years. Kept me away from my mom for 19 years. Violated me in ways I can never tell anyone, especially Amaia."

His words shook my entire existence.

Rape. Violation. Torture. He was just a kid. I thought I had it bad and here my brother is completely broken and I don’t even know what has been done to Saiph.

My hand tightly holds his shoulder. "I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t rescue you or protect you."

Rigel turns his head. Darkness has taken a permanent residence in his blood shot eyes. "She took so much from us. From me, from you, from Saiph. She stole our brother from us. I am going to cut her body into so many pieces, every piece will be the testament of the moment she had hurt us."

I nod. "I am with you on this but first we need to leave here. We have to be together in my safe place so we can plan further."

"No, Alnilam. I can’t go back until I find my mom and kill that monster. I will never put Amaia’s life in jeopardy again." He hugs the diary to his chest like a precious object.

"Rigel, I understand your rage. I swear, I do. But emotionally hurrying into anything will result only in disaster." I place my hand on my heart.

"As your younger brother, I pledge to rescue your mother as my first priority. Just give me a few days. I have a bunch of people who might be able to help." I squeeze his shoulder. "Now that they must have figured out that we know about Queen Adrnia. She will be under heavy security."

"Hm!" Rigel draws in such a painful breath.

"How did you come to know about her?" He asks, trying not to shed the tears swimming in his eyes.

I narrate Aziel’s story to him and he gasps.

"Amaia’s brother is alive? I remember meeting him the day I was kidnapped. He was such an intelligent kid."

"Yes, he is. And he is going to be our beacon as well as the one who led to Istrale’s downfall."

I pat his shoulder in assurance. Trying to get through to him which only Amaia is able to do but maybe I can too.

"I have no hope from our parents but we still have each other. Just trust me and come with me."

Rigel still has doubts clinging to him. "The word trust holds such little meaning for me now.

"I only trust Amaia and I can’t return to her. I am afraid of hurting her again."

"You won’t. Even if something happens, we will be there. From today onwards, all six of us will always be together, like one unit. Let’s return and meet our brother. Don’t you want to properly meet him?"

Mention of Saiph makes a little of darkness dissipate from his eyes and hope returns to my heart that Rigel will accompany me.