Tears For A Brother

Mai's P.O.V.

I couldn't believe it.

Eldur—Eldur—was crying.

I stared at his hunched form, barely visible in the faint light of the room. His white hair, usually wild and untamed, looked dull in the shadows, his shoulders stiff and trembling.

This was the same Eldur who thrived on pain, who laughed when people flinched, who had done horrible things to Liam and me over the past few months and even weeks. This was the same Eldur who had promised to make Liam disappear if he ever touched me again.

And yet… all I could see now was a broken boy.

Without thinking, I let go of Liam and moved toward Eldur.

"Eldur?" My voice came out soft and hesitant.

His body tensed immediately, like a wounded animal about to lash out. He didn't turn to look at me.

"Go back to sleep, Mai." His voice was hoarse, rough, but it lacked its usual bite.

I sat down beside him, unfazed. "No."