The Reaper's Trust

Spilt Feelings

"My sister and I were very close when we were children," Violet explained to Florian. She now sat beside him on the bed, looking out the window at the spectating moon. "Neither of us had a mother and we didn't have many other friends."

Florian raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment. "So your mother died, then?" He asked quietly.

Violet tensed slightly, lowering her head. "Yes, she died in childbirth with me..." The advisor said nothing and simply rubbed her back. She continued, "I knew it was my fault. I still do, but Amber always tried to tell me it wasn't."

"Well, she was right. You didn't intentionally hurt your mother, it was just an unfortunate circumstance of nature."

Shaking her head, Violet huffed, "Don't make excuses for me."

"I'm only saying the truth."

Violet rolled her eyes and dropped it. It was clear he'd only continue to make the same arguments Amber always did. "We did everything together until we were separated. I'd rather not talk about the details now, but I wasn't happy where I ended up," Violet explained softly. Remembering the situation tied her stomach in a knot. She wanted to discuss her experience with Charles too, but she couldn't reveal her highest goal yet. Florian surely wouldn't want her to overthrow the Celestial King.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Florian muttered.

"Every day I hoped I'd hear from my sister, but she never wrote to me. Well, not for a long time, at least..." As Violet's voice trailed off, her fingers dug into the sheets angrily.

Florian raised an eyebrow and rested his hand on Violet's. He looked at her quietly, awaiting her continuation. His touch made her fingers relax, but only briefly. The remaining glass in the window shattered as she yelled, "She was silent for ten long years before she finally sent me a letter! But it was nothing more than insults!"

Her advisor flinched and recoiled as the glass broke from her furious magic. He looked away from her, afraid to meet her irate gaze. She stood from the bed and paced, continuing, "She revealed the truth to me. How she always hated me for killing our mother and how I'm useless and weak! She never loved me..."

"That doesn't make any sense," Florian rasped. "What about your childhood?"

"All lies! She told me she was pretending to love me for all those years."

"Violet, that doesn't seem right," the advisor sighed. He rubbed his chin in thought, eyes at the floor. His reaction made rage swell in Violet's chest. She had seen the letter with her own eyes far too many times. As sudden as it may have been, it was certainly the truth.

Violet went to the window and looked down at the glinting shards of glass. Staring into her reflection, she could see the cold hatred in her own eyes. "I'm going to confront her..."

"Don't hurt her."

Violet narrowed her eyes.

Florian insisted, "She's your sister. No matter what she's done, you can't hurt her."

Violet turned around slowly like a snake closing in on its prey. "She hurt me."

"I can tell," Florian said after a pause. He looked into her eyes, straight past the hate in them. "But please, reconsider."

"Why should I?"

"She's family, Violet. That's irreplaceable and precious."