The manor hadnʼt changed. Same high ceilings. Same suffocating silence. The scent of wealth and rot clung to every inch of the place like an old ghost. Kieran poured himself a glass of bourbon as he waited for her to speak. But Alara said nothing. She wandered the hall instead, trailing her fingers along the dusty portraits of his ancestors.
"This place smells like guilt,ˮ she said finally.
"I thought youʼd be used to that by now.ˮ
"I am. Doesnʼt mean I enjoy it.ˮ
He watched her from the corner of his eye. Even in silence, she moved like a predator. Graceful. Focused. Dangerous. Everything about her screamed threat— and yet, he couldnʼt stop watching.
"Why are you really here?ˮ he asked, sipping the drink.
"I told you. Unfinished business.ˮ
"You already made your statement. Killing a hundred of my men… Iʼd say thatʼs pretty clear.ˮ
She turned to face him. "That was just a prelude. A message. The real performance starts now.ˮ
He laughed, bitter and tired. "You always did love theatrics.ˮ
"I learned from the best.ˮ Their eyes locked. Neither blinked.
"You want to kill me,ˮ he said.
"Yes.ˮ
"Then why havenʼt you?ˮ
She stepped closer. "Because if I kill you now, itʼs too merciful. You havenʼt suffered yet.ˮ
He didnʼt flinch. "So youʼre here to torment me?ˮ
"Among other things.ˮ
The air between them thickened.
"I should have killed you that night in Vaska,ˮ he muttered.
"You couldnʼt. You hesitated.ˮ
"Because I didnʼt want to kill you.ˮ
"And now?ˮ
"I still donʼt.ˮ
She blinked. Just once. And for the first time, he saw something crack beneath that cold exterior. Sadness. Maybe even confusion.
"I lost everything,ˮ she whispered. "My mother. My brother. My entire family. Because of your name.ˮ
"I know.ˮ
"You donʼt get to just know. You were part of it. Maybe not directly, but you stood by and did nothing.ˮ
"I was seventeen.ˮ
"Old enough to pull a trigger.ˮ Silence.
He walked toward her. Slowly. Carefully. As if she might disappear again.
"I wonʼt ask for forgiveness,ˮ he said.
"Good. I wouldnʼt give it.ˮ
And yet, when he reached for her hand—she didnʼt pull away.