Chapter 8. Scars

Marcus 5.

I sit by Tyx's bedside, my eyes scanning her still form as she rests. The Medicae assured us she would recover, but the sight of the bandage wrapped around her leg and the memories of her ragged breath against my neck still haunt me. I can't shake the feeling that it's my fault. I should have been more careful. I should have seen it moving through the grass, should have heard the stalks shift as it slithered closer. I messed up, and my sister almost died because of it.

The door to her room opens up and in steps my father. He looks at me with a mixture of concern and sympathy, and I can see in his eyes he's worrying about her still.

"Marcus, you should get some rest," he suggests gently, pulling up a chair to sit beside me. "You’ve been here for hours."

I shake my head, my eyes locked to her fragile form. "I can't leave her, Father. If something happens, I need to be here. She needs me, Father, and I refuse to abandon her." Like my own family did…

Father sighs, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I understand, my son. But you need to take care of yourself too. Tyxia is strong. She can pull through this and now the worst is over. You ran for miles through a storm that could have killed you without blinking an eye. You need to rest, son."

I feel a lump in my throat as I turn to face him, the tears welling in my eyes making the world a blurry soup. "It's my fault, Father. If I had been more careful, none of this would have happened."

He looks at me with a sad, understanding smile. "You cannot blame yourself for this, Marcus. Accidents happen, and you did everything in your power to save her. You got her here in time, and now she will recover because of your actions. You saved her life, Marcus."

"But I should've protected her!" I insist, my voice almost shattering.

Father takes a deep breath. He takes my chin and forces me to look into his eyes. "Marcus, we cannot control everything that happens to those we care about. What matters is that we do our best, and you did that today. Tyx is alive because of you. I could not ask the gods for more than what you have already done."

His words offer a little comfort, but the weight on my chest refuses to lift. "I just… I don’t want to fail anyone else. I need to be better than this, Father. You raise me as a protector, and I can't even keep my sister safe on our own lands. How am I to become a knight of our house or even its lord if this is the best I can offer?"

You are stronger than you know, Marcus," Lucius says, his voice full of conviction. "And you are a part of this family, no matter what. Nothing I say can make this day right for you again, but hear this. You don't need to be anything more than you are, because what you are is my son. My beautiful, perfect son. You don't need to carry the world, nor even this family on your shoulders alone. We're here for you, Marcus. That's what family is for."

I try to swallow, **** up slightly as my throat cracks under the pressure. I want to believe him. "Will Tyx be okay?"

Father nods, his eyes certain. "She will have scars, yes, but she will heal. Remember this day Marcus. Let it scar you as well. Let it remind you of your strength, your determination. Let this day be a lesson, and let this day make you a better man."

I look back at Tyx, her chest rising and falling slowly as she sleeps. My heart aches for her. What pain that little form endured. I think on my father's words, and I see his truth ring through. She will heal, and so will I.

"Thank you, Father," I try to say, only managing a whisper. I feel his hand on my shoulder tighten in silent support. "I promise, I won't let you down. Ever again."

"We're proud of you, Marcus. Remember that, always."

He stands from his chair and goes to the door. I feel his eyes on me again, hoping I would join him. I do not. The door creaks open, then closes without a sound. I sit by that bedside for hours and hours more, until sleep finally takes me.