The rain fell soft and steady that morning.
Inside the chapel, Aria stood near the window, watching water slide down the glass. Her thoughts were tangled.
Rael leaned against the wall behind her, arms crossed.
You've been quiet again, he said.
I'm thinking, she replied.
Dangerous habit.
She glanced over her shoulder. Where were you the night before last?
He blinked. Why?
You disappeared. No one saw you.
Rael shrugged. Just needed air. Can't sit between a sword and a pendant forever.
Her eyes narrowed — just slightly. You didn't find anything… strange? No marks? No symbols?
He tilted his head. Symbols? No. Just trees.
Lie.
He touched that glowing stone. I saw him.
But she smiled anyway. Alright. Just curious.
---
Later, Lysander walked beside her through the edge of the forest, searching for herbs.
I asked Rael about the marks, she said quietly.
And?
He lied.
Lysander didn't look surprised. I never trusted him.
She stopped walking. And me? Do you trust me?
Lysander turned to face her. I trust who you're becoming.
Not exactly a yes.
Not exactly a no.
---
That night, she sat by the fire, fingering the crescent charm she found. The same mark glowed faintly under her thumb.
The pendant at her chest grew warm — then hot.
Too hot.
Aria gasped — and the world spun.
---
💤 Flashback 💤
The sky was burning red. Screams in the distance.
Aria stood in a tower — her robes torn, blood on her hands.
Please,she whispered, reaching out.
But someone was walking away.
A man.
She couldn't see his face clearly… but the cloak…
The sword
You promised you'd protect me! she screamed.
But he kept walking.
---
🌙 Back to the present
Aria fell forward, breathing hard.
Lysander rushed to her side. What happened?
I saw it,she said. Someone left me. When everything was falling apart."
His face went pale. Who?
She shook her head. I don't know. I couldn't see… but it hurt. Like I'd begged them to stay. And they didn't.
Rael stood near the doorway, silent. Watching.
---
Aria lay in her bedroll that night, eyes wide open.
One man had lied to her face.
One might have walked away from her when she needed him most.
And both were looking at her like she still belonged to them.
She turned toward the window, where the moon glowed softly
I need the truth, she whispered.
Even if it breaks me.
---
💫 Author's Note:
Chapter 15 hits a little harder 🌌
Aria's memory is finally showing her pain — and not everyone is who they seem to be.
💬 Question for you:
Would you forgive someone who left you behind… if you loved them once?
📌 Don't forget to add to your collection — the next chapter might reveal who that person really was.
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