Dead if you do, Dead if you don't

Chapter 9 Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold

I wake up to see a bright light above me. I try to move but my arms and legs are restricted. I try to force my arms out of the restraints.

"Let her out!" I hear a male voice say before my restaurants are loosened. I see Cassian walking towards my bed. My eyes fill up with tears again.

"Hey, it's going to be okay." Cassian says, wrapping his arms around me.

"It's my fault. She's dead, because of me." I say, my voice cracking.

"No it's not, she chose to help us." He says in a comforting tone.

"It's still my fault, she wanted to live her life, she had so many plans for when we escaped. She wanted to be a singer, to travel the world sharing her songs with people." I whisper.

"The guards found something I thought you might want." Cassian says, pulling a notebook out of his pocket.

"They found it on Kenna." He hands it to me, it was maroon with gold lettering that said;

"Kenna's Song Book"

"Thank you." I say, hugging Cassian.

"I'm so sorry I never should've gone behind your backs." I say looking up at Cassian.

"You were doing it for your sister, I would've done the same." He replies.

"I'm also sorry, for how I responded." he says looking down at me.

"You don't have anything to apologize for, I understand." I say.

"So we're good?" I ask.

"We're good." He smiles.

I walk out of the hospital wing with Cassian, we walk into Lillie's room where I can hear Aster laughing. Her face is stained with tears.

'Are you okay?' I ask.

'I am now' Aster smiles as she runs up and hugs me. A guard comes in and tells us that we are needed in the throne room. A lump forms in my throat as we walk to the throne room in silence, Cassian's hand brushes against mine. I look down as he grips my hand in his.

"They are just kids." I hear the Queen say.

"I know." The King replies as we walk into the throne room.

"Athena, Aster. Y'all will not be punished but if you dare to go against us again, you will be tried for treason." The King says.

"What will happen to our father?" Aster asks.

"He will be put up for execution." The King responds.

"Don't do that." Cassian looks at me confused as I speak.

"He deserves to be tortured and rot in a cell alone. He wants the death penalty. He told me himself. He said he would rather get the death penalty if he's caught because it would be easier." I say.

"You're right, he probably would want the death penalty. We will let him rot in a cell." The King says the last part to his guards.

A couple months go by and things are starting to get back to normal. Some guards still stare at me and whisper behind my back but I've gotten used to it. Nora has gone back to treating me normally which has made it feel better. I walk out to the courtyard where I see Aster sitting on a bench.

'Hey.' I sign to her as I sit down.

'Hey' She signs back.

'What are you doing?' I ask.

'Thinking, you?'

'Same.' I reply.

'About Cassian?' Aster tries to fight back a smile.

'I don't know what you are talking about' I reply, also trying to hold back a smile.

'You should go for it' Aster signs.

'No way in hell would I do that!' I laugh.

'Aww, come on! Y'all would be cute together!' Aster smiles.

'I am his guard!' I stare at her.

'That can change' Aster laughs as I roll my eyes