Veil of Secrets

Chapter Fifty-three - Lost in Grief

Weeks had passed since we won the battle, but I couldn't feel it. All I felt was the emptiness, a hollow void that had settled deep inside me, refusing to let go. We had defeated the king, but at what cost? Sebastian was gone, and with him, a part of me had vanished as well.

I hadn't left my bed since the day we won. My friends had come to visit, trying to coax me out of the darkness that had consumed me, but I couldn't bear to see them. Every face was a reminder of what I had lost, and I couldn't handle it. I didn't want to talk, didn't want to face the world without him in it.

There had been knocks at my door, every one of them filled with concern, but I had sent them away. Ethan, Emma, Lucas, even Clara had tried, but each time, I just told them to leave. I didn't want their pity. I didn't want their comfort. Nothing they could say would bring Sebastian back.

I hadn't told him. I never got the chance to tell him how much he meant to me. That I was grateful for everything he'd done, for how he loved me. I never told him that I loved him back, that being with him had made me feel safe and happy in a way I never thought possible.

Instead, I had spent so much time complaining about my problems with everyone else-my powers, the war, the constant chaos. And now, the one person who was always there for me, who loved me unconditionally, was gone. And I hadn't appreciated him enough while he was here.

Another knock came at my door, softer this time, but persistent. I closed my eyes, hoping whoever it was would go away, but the knocking continued.

"Who is it?" I muttered, my voice hoarse from days of silence.

There was a pause, then a familiar voice came through the door. "It's Damian."

I stared at the door for a long moment, debating whether or not to answer. Damian had tried to talk to me a few times, but I always sent him away too. But something in his voice made me hesitate this time. Reluctantly, I told him to come in.

The door creaked open, and Damian stepped inside. His face was solemn, his usual smirk replaced with a look of concern. He closed the door quietly behind him, his footsteps soft as he approached the side of my bed.

"Aria," he began, his voice low and gentle. "You need to get up."

I turned my head away from him, staring at the wall. "I can't," I whispered. "He's gone, Damian. What's the point?"

"I know it sucks," he said, sitting down at the edge of my bed. "I know it hurts. But Sebastian wouldn't want this."

My heart twisted at the sound of his name, and tears welled up in my eyes. "I didn't get to tell him... all the things I wanted to say. I never told him how much I loved him, how grateful I was to have him in my life."

Damian sighed, and I felt the bed shift as he moved closer. "Sebastian knew. He knew how much you cared about him. You didn't have to say it. He felt it."

I shook my head, wiping at the tears that spilled over. "But I should've told him. I should've been there for him more. Now I'll never get the chance."

Damian reached out, gently turning my face toward him. His eyes were soft, understanding. "You did the best you could. You loved him in your way, Aria. And he loved you. But you can't stay like this. He wouldn't want you to waste away like this."

I met his gaze, seeing the truth in his words, but it didn't make the pain any easier to bear. "How am I supposed to move on without him?"

"You don't have to forget him," Damian said softly. "But you can't let his memory keep you trapped in this room. You're stronger than that. You've got people who care about you, who need you."

He leaned in and kissed my temple gently, an unexpected gesture of comfort. "It's time to get up, Aria. We've still got a life to live."

For a moment, I didn't move. I wasn't sure if I could. But Damian's hand was warm on my arm, steadying me, grounding me. Slowly, hesitantly, I sat up, my body aching from days of neglect.

"I'll help you," Damian said, his voice soft but firm. He stood and offered me his hand.

I stared at it for a moment, then took it, feeling a spark of strength I hadn't felt in weeks. Maybe he was right. Maybe I needed to start living again, for Sebastian, for myself.

As I stood up, Damian kept his arm around me, helping me take that first step out of the darkness.