Worlds of Waves and Shadows

Sixty

A second passed.

Then another.

Kaenisa shook her head ever so slowly, not breaking away.

"...No." She scoffed, "That's not possible...how?"

A bitter chuckle escaped him, "General Cazek....he...." Deimos struggled to explain, to find the right words, "He's not my father. At least, not in the way you'd like to think."

"Then tell me, Deimos. Because right now, I....I...don't know what to think."

He drew in a deep breathe, "You must be aware....that my mother is half-sister to the King and my father—"

The door flew open as General Cazek burst into the room—interrupting him—amber eyes shining with the angry promise of punishment. But what was done was done. He couldn't take back the words he'd said. Not that he wanted to.

"Deimos." He said—voice taunt—barely managing to keep the anger out, "I need to speak to you."

He looked over to where Kaenisa lay, studying her expression. Or rather, the lack thereof. She wore an impeccable poker face. He wouldn't have been able to tell what emotions roiled underneath that mask of hers if it weren't for the hardened glint in her eyes as she stared at her father.

Cazek looked at his daughter then, the cold anger dissipating from his gaze almost instantly, replaced by something he'd never seen before—emotion—heavy and real, as he examined her. The Great General, infamous throughout the nation for being utterly soulless and unforgiving, was forcing back the tears that had welled up in his eyes.

It startled him, and from the look on Kaenisa's face, she felt the same way. But that look, that version of him, vanished again in the blink of an eye as he cleared his throat, turning his attention back to Deimos.

Despite being aware of the impending doom awaiting him, Deimos couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this...light. It was as if a weight had been lifted off of his chest. As if he'd been freed from a stifling burden. It was over. No more being a brother to Kaenisa. No more suppressing his feelings for her. He wasn't going to have to pretend anymore. At least not in front of her. He'd told her. He'd told Kaenisa the truth and hoped she'd remember, but judging from how she reacted, he was sure she didn't.

Before he could explain further, Cazek cleared his throat—a loud, clear indication of urgency.

"I'll be going now." He said—ever so tenderly—kissing her forehead before following the General outside.

Kaesina had seemed at a loss for words, shock registered across her face. That was probably why she hadn't stopped them or demanded any answers. She was in no position to, which was understandable given that he'd just gone and dropped such a giant bomb on her. And that too when she'd barely been awake for—

A sudden force sent him staggering backwards, cheek burning with a familiar sting.

The sting of being slapped—hard.

Deimos blinked.

This was the second time he'd gotten smacked in the face today, and it was hardly a pleasant thing to experience, especially after one had just walked out of a hospital.

"Have you lost your mind?" Cazek fumed, barely reeling in his anger, "How dare you think you could touch my daughter, huh? Who gave you the right, you filthy blue—"

The man stopped, face red as he drew in a sharp breath.

He had gotten used to the disdain, the repulsion, but it still hurt. Deimos had just learned to mask it better.