Zethar;

She tosses the sword playfully as she steps away from me.

"If you really want to vent... now is the time," she says with a smile, and I grit my teeth in annoyance.

She thinks she can withstand me?? Rich!

I think it’s high time I destroy that illusion she has that she can control me in some way.

I lunge at her, and our blades meet harshly.

The clash rings out loudly, but unlike the soldier before her, Aunt Selthía does not stagger.

Her strength impressively holds, and her stance remains perfect.

Of course it does...

A part of me almost forgot that she used to be a warring monster.

She single-handedly trained armies, and as much as I hate to admit it, she helped shape Zephan and me into what we are today.

That, however, doesn’t mean she’s a match for how far I have personally taken myself.

I strike again, and this time, she blocks.

That irks me.

I strike for her open side, and once again, she blocks it.

Again, and again.

The rhythm builds between us like a melancholy song of steel, and not being able to land a hit pissed me the hell off.

"You are angry," she suddenly speaks between strikes, and I eye her in irritation.

"I’m training," I note flatly, and this time, she strikes.

I’m able to block it, and she smirks.

"You were trying to break that soldier’s bones." She teases, and I shove her back with a heavy swing.

"Then he should train harder!" I groan as I dodge another hit of hers, and her eyes narrow slightly.

I keep my eyes on her every move as she circles me.

"You know why you are angry." She says softly, and my heart skips a beat.

"No," I reply just in time to make a move.

Our swords collide again, and I grit my teeth.

She moves with elegant precision, deflecting my attacks like she can read my mind. If she thought I was angry before... this whole spar is making my mood worse!!

"You are hurt." She accuses, and I nearly lose it.

"I’m not!" I spit, and she gives me a look.

"Jealous, then?" She says, with the word slipping from her mouth like a whisper.

The audacity of it angers me so much, I see red. My sword slams down harder, and she groans as she blocks the hit.

That gives me a little bit of satisfaction. It’s not enough.

"Don’t say shit you know nothing about!" I warn as I strike again, but she ducks beneath my swing and twists her blade upward.

Our swords lock, and she looks directly into my eyes.

"Zerena’s words were clear." She says, and my grip tightens.

"So?" I demand, and she lets out a breath.

"She said Zephan was the only one who could calm Elián." She repeats, and the words burn in my chest. Bitter on my tongue like acid of some type.

"You know what that meant." She continues gently, and my jaw clenches so tight that a part of me fears my teeth may shatter.

Of course, I know what Zerana meant. Everyone in that room knew.

Zerena had not bothered to soften the truth. She didn’t care how it landed, as long as the message was gotten.

Elián needed an anchor. He needed intimacy... And... the one they without a doubt chose to give him that was—

And now– Right now— Elian is probably... Zephan is—

I shake my head in annoyance and step away from her as fresh anger blooms through me.

"I don’t care." I spit, and Aunt Selthía raises a brow.

"No?" She questions, and I glare at her.

"I don’t give a shit what they’re doing." I rage as I rush at her with another strike, which she skillfully blocks.

The clash echoes across the yard.

"I’m just training," I add, and she sighs.

"You are a terrible liar, Zethar." She mocks, and I freeze.

Her sword moves suddenly with a twist I couldn’t anticipate.

Suddenly, in a single, devastating motion, she knocks my blade from my hand, and my eyes go wide.

The weapon spins through the air before embedding itself in the sand several feet away. Before I can react, her sword is already at my throat.

The yard holds its breath, and from the corner of my eyes, I watch her.

Her golden eyes study me in silence for a long moment, then she lowers her blade and plants the sword into the sand between us.

"I understand," she says quietly, and I say nothing as I rub when her blade pressed into my neck.

She steps closer, and I just watch her.

"You love him." She whispers, and the words land heavier than any strike she may have dealt me this evening.

My jaw tightens.

"And when did I tell you such nonsense?" I retort, and she sighs for the umpeenth time.

"You did not have to." She replies as she brushes dust from her hands.

"Zethar... Elián belongs to all five of you." She adds, and I look away.

Her voice remains gentle, and she steps closer and places a hand on my shoulder.

"One brother being with him does not mean he belongs less to the others." She continues, but I stare at the ground.

"You are all his protectors." She says as she gently lifts my chin, and when my eyes meet hers, her gaze softens.

"And your duty is the same." She whispers, and I take a deep breath. I hear her words... But the storm inside my chest does not quiet.

She continues anyway.

"If Elián needs Zephan today... Then Zephan gives him what he needs." She says, and I look up at her with emotions I can not explain clashing in my chest. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"That is what loving him means." She whispers conclusively, and I stare at her as silence stretches between us.

Then she steps back.

"Think about that." She says, and I drag a deep breath as she turns and walks away without another word.

Leaving me alone in the training yard.

The wind moves softly through the banners on the pillars, and slowly but surely, the soldiers start leaving.

My gaze settles on my sword, which lies half buried in the sand.

I stare at it for a long time as thought and confusion battle inside me.

Why am I so angry?

I already knew this would happen.

Elián belongs to all of us... To the Ashfang brothers.

We chose him. And now... he’s choosing us.

But why—

Why does it feel like something inside me is tearing open?

I run a hand through my hair as hurt stings in my chest again.

I’m hurting because I wasn’t the one he needed.

That realisation sits like a stone in my chest.

I know I have always tried to keep my distance from him to keep him safe.

I know that I am a danger on my own, but once. Just... once you know, I...

I wanted— No.

I needed to be the one he reached for. I wanted him to... want me... I wanted him to need me, and I wanted to be there for him.

Not being able to help him in any way when he was like that... It just... I feel so useless to him.

But then again... the truth is simpler. More brutal.

If it had been me, he needed— If it had been me in that room... I might have hurt him.

My power is not gentle. My instincts are not soft.

And Elián...

Elián is carrying a child.

Our child.

The thought cools some of the fire burning in my chest.

Aunt Selthía is right.

This is not about me.

No matter how I may feel about it, it has never been about me.

It is about Elián.

His safety, his comfort... his happiness.

I roll my head back, walk across the yard and pull my sword from the sand.

The blade gleams in the fading sunlight.

"...Damn it." I cuss as I realise the scene I just caused.

The word leaves my mouth like a quiet surrender... Because now I understand the truth I’ve been trying to avoid.

I’m inlove with him, aren’t I??

I care for him not just as our Omega... Not just as the one we protect.

But as mine.

And maybe... Maybe that’s why it hurts so much to stand outside the door when he needs someone else.

Still...

If Zephan is the one who can help him today... Then that is what Elián needs.

And what Elián needs... will always come before what I want.

Even if it tears me apart to admit it.

That’s what love is, isn’t it??

I will never be able to be there for him like my brothers.

Even if I want to, I can’t. I’d rather ache in every way than bring the silghtest for of harm to him.

So... let him lie with my brother. Let him get close to the others.

I’ll love and protect him how best I can...

From a distance.