The Crowns of the Gods.

Macaria's Shame and Regret

 Blair sequestered herself for the two days it took Athena to capture the cyclops. In those quiet hours, she retreated into the solitude of her chambers, grappling with the weight of her past mistakes. The memories played on a loop in her mind, each one a sharp pang of regret that seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment. She stared out of the window, watching the sun rise and set, a silent witness to her inner turmoil.

Nothing could change the past, she knew that. It was a burden she had to bear, a part of her story that couldn't be rewritten. She sighed heavily, fingers tracing absent patterns on the wooden armrest of her chair. Despite the heaviness in her heart, she managed to keep her inner turmoil hidden from Peri and the others. It was a private anguish, one she shared only with herself and Jinx.

Her shame was a silent companion, woven into the fabric of her being. Regret and pain lingered beneath her stoic facade, emotions she kept carefully concealed from those around her. Jinx, with her exuberance and unwavering loyalty, couldn't possibly comprehend the depths of Blair's hidden struggles. She only knew the fragments of the story Blair had chosen to reveal, unaware of the full extent of her sister's inner turmoil.

A soft knock at the door interrupted Blair's reverie, but she ignored it, reluctant to face the inevitable responsibilities that awaited her outside these walls. The weight of leadership pressed down upon her shoulders, demanding decisions and actions she wasn't sure she had the strength to make. The thought of reconvening the council, of facing their expectant gazes, filled her with a sense of dread.

As if sensing her distress, Jinx phased into the room, her presence gentle yet reassuring. A soft smile played on her lips, a silent reminder of the bond they shared and the strength they drew from each other.

"We are ready," Jinx said softly, her voice a gentle nudge in the quiet room. Her presence was a comforting contrast to Blair's somber stillness.

"I know," Blair replied, her gaze fixed on a point in the distance, unmoving from her spot. Her hands, usually steady, now clenched tightly in her lap, betraying the turmoil within.

"Babes, we need to get this done now, so that the others have time to absorb the information before Bayo's birthday," Jinx urged gently, stepping closer to Blair with a reassuring touch.

"Fine, let's go," Blair conceded, her voice carrying a note of sullen resignation.

Jinx worried as she followed Blair down to the hall. Blair moved with a distant, almost robotic demeanor that sent a shiver of concern down Jinx's spine. Seeing Blair shut down emotionally was always unsettling, a sign that something deeper troubled her. It wasn't just about the council meeting—they both knew that.

The last few times Blair had withdrawn like this, it had ended in dark places. Jinx recalled with a pang how Blair had struggled, how she had come dangerously close to losing her. That was why Jinx had placed Soter and Soteria in Blair's room, keeping watch discreetly. They reported that Blair had done nothing but lie in bed, staring at the wall in a haunting silence.

Jinx's worry gnawed at her, but she clung to the hope that sharing their story might offer Blair some solace, a way to confront her demons. She knew the others would be shocked by what they were about to reveal, but she also trusted that they would rally around Blair as they always had, providing the unwavering support she desperately needed.

Blair settled onto her throne, a figure of quiet authority despite the turmoil within. Her eyes, usually sharp and focused, now held a distant gaze as she watched everyone take their seats. The council members, accustomed to Blair's strong leadership, exchanged uncertain glances, sensing the tension in the air.

Jinx stood, her presence commanding the attention of the gathered council. She cleared her throat, the weight of the upcoming revelation heavy in the air.