Captive: Hopeless

Chapter 65 - Hollow

"Is it true?" Kay could tell he heard everything; the guilt in his eyes told her that. Nor did she have to elaborate.

Thane hesitated, and for a moment, she thought he seemed embarrassed.

"That I didn't want to admit that I fell for a mere child, and she almost made me forget about Azera, who I was, and that if I were human, even the memory of me would have long turned to dust?" he asked gruffly.

The unexpected sense of betrayal his words elicited caused turmoil inside her. The screen's reflection showed her the blazing blue of her eyes, the glint of her fangs peeking through her lips, and the stiffness of her posture, but did her emotions no justice.

"How many more lies have you told me?" she bit out, her hands fisting.

"I had to distance myself from you to allow Akira to send you on your mission, and when we made peace, I didn't want to see that look in your eyes because I knew your human roots lay too close in your memory."

"What look?" she asked almost aggressively, unsure why such a little thing sent her over the edge and if this was just an extension of what Zeus set in motion. Maybe it was the culmination of everything finally catching up to her.

"Distrust, betrayal, and maybe even a little disgust," he admitted, and despite his remorse, she wasn't ready to forgive him.

Somehow, the little distance between them when she thoughts she had been coldly planned as some part of an experiment, made his choices more acceptable, but knowing he was her father in the true sense of the word... Even worse, that he had loved her mother, and she had feelings for him, yet he abandoned her to her fate, rushed anger through her veins she struggled to contain.

"I'm going to Akira," she said, pivoting on her heel before she said something she'd regret.

"And just like that, you turn to the dark?" he asked, sounding odd, and she turned back to face him.

The hurt and betrayal, guilt, and loss in his eyes brought her up short, but even realizing that he cared more for her than she ever imagined, didn't silence her raging storm of emotions.

"No, Father, I am going to my sister because I need to clear my head and deal with this as far from you as possible. I need her."

"And you want to know if she knew? If she betrayed you as well. But her you would forgive, I am not so sure you will forgive me."

"Thank you, that didn't quite occur to me," she bit out, rubbing the back of her neck. "Your paranoia needs to be controlled, Father, and preferably before I return."

"Then you are coming back?" he asked hopefully.

What was this? What happened to the Thane she met not so long ago? Why would he think that she would desert him and not return? Was he still not over the past? Would she be? He lived with the idea of his family's betrayal for two millennia. Had it instilled the fear of abandonment so deeply into him that even the great and powerful Thane was crippled by it? It seemed absurd, but the look in his eyes settled a little of her anger.

"Yes, when I am ready."

Why did that seem more like a promise than she had intended?

"Take all the time you need. Akira misses you but wasn't sure how you would feel about returning to Azera's castle."

That bit she hadn't thought through. She expected the light of victory in his eyes, but instead, more worry settled about his broad shoulders like a cloak.

"We must all face our fears at some point," she said, not sure if it was the truth or an attempt to save face.

"Why don't you stay, and I will visit my vassals to smooth out things and assure their loyalty?" he asked, sighing, his knuckles white on the back of the chair he stood behind.