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Chapter 317:

Arthur\'s Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

Rennal was right. It was selfish of me to leave like that. I don\'t deny it, but I still think it would\'ve been worse had I stayed. Cassidy\'s magic was disturbed and low. Likely from her staying awake for days on end or getting little to no sleep. This was all I could do for her, and after Austin\'s question, going near him didn\'t seem like a good idea.

That left one more priority stop. I was told she was with Aydalia. Aydalia, who had yet to awaken. Her injuries had barely healed, and magic was little to no help. As of this moment, there wasn\'t anything I could do for her. Maybe some of my energy, like with Cassidy, will help her. Still, it wasn\'t Aydalia I wanted to see.

Guards were posted there again as they merely nodded as I opened the door. "The Massacre happened on a chilly night. Many believe that the Gods turned a blind eye that night for such atrocities to be committed unpunished." Lucia sat in a chair reading from a book to Aydalia\'s prone form.

While it was surprising, my mind returned to days past. Mara would sit in my room with me and read aloud from her books. It was something I enjoyed. Her voice was calming. More often than not, I could fall asleep while she read. That usually ended with me waking up to her sleeping somewhere in my room. Sometimes in her chair, other times near the fire, and even a few times in my bed.

My thoughts came to a halt when Lucia\'s voice cut in once more. "Arthur." She greeted me, greatly concerned as she stood and moved in front of me. "Are you alright?" Her eyes showed the compassion that reminded me of Mara that it was painful to look at her. It was always somewhat painful to look at her. "Arthur..." Lucia called again. Unbeknownst to me, tears fell from my eyes. "You\'re crying."

The girl reached up to wipe my cheeks, and I broke down. With everything that had been happening, it was too much. Maybe it was because of my lack of sleep from keeping an eye on Typhon. Maybe it was seeing her here doing what Mara did... After my talk with Rennal stirred old memories, it was too much. I had tried to run from it. To bury it. I could do so no longer.

Lucia let out a surprised yelp when I suddenly hugged her.

Lucia\'s Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

"Arthur." I greeted quietly.

Arthur\'s hands were shaking as his body convulsed suddenly. He was here, but his mind was elsewhere. I never would\'ve thought it would be Arthur standing here when I heard someone enter the room. It was a nice surprise though. At least, it was until I stood to greet him. Moving to him to talk quietly, my eyes widened as my heart ached for the man in front of me.

"Are you alright?" I asked. "Arthur..."

Something had to of happened. Arthur\'s facial expressions were the most uncontrolled that I had seen them since I\'d known him. His eyes fluttered, trying to instinctively blink away the tears that were building. All in futility. They ran down his cheeks as his breathing quickened while his hands twitched.

"You\'re crying."

Like a dam giving way, Arthur seemed to break. The man startled me by clutching at me almost desperately as he cried on my shoulder. Confused, concerned, and so many other things, I did the only thing I could think of. Comfort him without him having to worry about anything. A spell surrounded the room to prevent anyone from entering or hearing his sobs.

Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him. His hands clung to my back as he trembled in my arms. "It was my fault," Arthur whispered. "I made a choice to hide it all away. They died because of me. I could\'ve saved them..." I felt him tighten against me as he spoke. "I\'m sorry, Lucia. I would\'ve given my life if it could\'ve saved them, but there was an easy answer. It was so simple."

"Arthur," I began slowly and softly. "No one blames you for what happened. Everyone knows that you did your best." My words seemed to resonate with him as his body halted in its trembling. "You already gave your life for everyone on the Island. We know what you are willing to risk." I told him. "And I know that you always try to do what you think is best. It might hurt at times, especially in these instances, but I know you have your reasons."

His next question surprised me. "Do I not deserve even the tiniest bit of happiness?" Arthur\'s voice broke my heart. He pulled away from me to look me in the eyes before placing his hands on my cheeks. "You remind me so much of her." Moving his forehead towards me, he rested it against mine. "I\'ve done so many things wrong, Lucia. I should\'ve been there for you."

Had I understood what he really meant at the time, I would\'ve found myself crying in his arms as well.