Aisha closed her eyes. The world hurt—but not like an open wound.It hurt like an echo: persistent, dull, impossible to silence.
Her bond with Sanathiel remained a mystery. A visceral connection, written in blood.But with Varek…It was different.He had always been there. Even when he shouldn't have been.
"You don't have to stay, Varek," she whispered, barely audible.
But Varek didn't move. Not a step.
"You don't understand, Aisha," he said, his voice heavy with something unspoken. "I can't leave. Not while you're still trapped in this cycle."
Their eyes met—her uncertain gaze locked with his glowing violet eyes.In silence, they confessed everything they had never dared to say.But he also knew what she refused to see: he couldn't keep watching her fall apart for decisions that weren't truly hers.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered, stepping closer.
Aisha tried to pull away, but Varek was faster.He placed his hand gently on her forehead. It wasn't aggression—it was a farewell.The warmth of their bond, something far beyond the physical, pulsed between them.It was comfort. It was pain.
"I wish you could forget. I wish none of this stayed with you," he murmured, voice cracking."I couldn't bear to watch you die over a betrayal I don't even understand.You let the white wolf live. You broke from the Protectors. Then you became the Hunter.And somehow… you became only Aisha again."
He paused, gaze lowering.
"But I don't judge you.Because now… I understand."
As he spoke, Aisha felt her thoughts unravel, dissolving like smoke through black trees.Her eyes searched Varek's for a final moment. Fear. Confusion. Something more.
Then, darkness.
She collapsed in his arms.
Varek held her longer than he needed to.The silence of the garden was brutal.
"Forgive me," he whispered. "This isn't goodbye."
He laid her down gently.And walked away.Because even though he had saved her… he had also lost her.
🌅 The next morning…
Soft light from the rising sun caressed the trees in Skiller's garden.Aisha was awake—but something in her gaze seemed fractured.There was a hole in her mind. A strange emptiness.Like something crucial was missing…A memory.Or a promise.
Ishana moved with her usual grace, preparing tea, healing herbs, and morning calm.She glanced toward the patio.
"You really shouldn't be in the sun so long, Skiller," she said gently.
"See? She loves me," Skiller replied, fanning himself with theatrical sarcasm.
"He's a low-tier vampire," Varek muttered, not even looking up.
Skiller smirked, showing just a flash of fang.
"Oh, come on, Varek. We've known each other for ages. Our friendship may be rusty…but it still breathes, doesn't it?"
Ishana, trying to defuse the tension, gently placed her hand over Varek's.
"Please don't argue," she whispered.
The gesture didn't escape Skiller. His brow arched in wicked amusement.
"How sweet, Ishana. I'm surprised by your taste in men, Varek.Already replacing Aisha?"
Varek withdrew his hand, his expression hardening.
"Don't get it twisted. Ishana is like family."
Skiller let out a dry laugh.
"Family? We both know there are things family wouldn't do.But with that face of hers… maybe you should try it."
Aisha, sitting at the far end of the table, lowered her gaze to her cup.Skiller's words stung like venom—too familiar to ignore.She didn't want to admit it, but something about them tore at a truth she wasn't ready to face.
Varek finally spoke.
"Ishana and I are here because of Aisha.If she'd returned sooner… maybe things would've been different.But she made her choice. And I wasn't part of it."
Aisha looked up.Their eyes met.Pain. Guilt. A sadness neither could carry alone.She gave a small, broken smile.
"You're right.I'm glad you're both okay," she said, standing.Her voice was steady.But her eyes were not.
Skiller leaned toward Ishana, speaking just loud enough for Varek to hear:
"Girl, if you think Varek will forget her for you… you're wrong.That bond with Aisha? It existed long before you ever showed up.And you?You're just standing in her shadow."
Ishana flinched, but said nothing.
Varek stood sharply.
"Watch your mouth, Skiller.You know nothing about Aisha and me.Unless… unless you do.Unless you feel something for her too."
Skiller grinned and tilted his head.
"Is that what scares you, protector?That I might stay when she forgets you?That your memory won't mean a damn thing to her?"
Varek clenched his fists.
He turned toward Aisha.She met his eyes—not with anger.With the kind of sorrow that leaves a man speechless.As if she wanted to come back to him…but couldn't.
And as the sun began to rise,the air between them stayed cold.
🌑 "Some acts protect… but leave scars that never fade."