Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 73 – You Must Fight

“This kind of war, you gotta believe in what you’re fighting for.” – John Wayne

Neron

Our feet kicked up some pond water, six different ripples encircling our ankles. It was peaceful. I’ve long stopped crying, the itchiness in my throat a distant remembrance of my breakdown. Mom’s breathing echoed softly between us as held one of my hands in hers while Nuria rested her head on my shoulder. I still can’t believe this is happening. I’ve done nothing to deserve this, but here I am, staring at the tangible presences my lost family.

Why couldn’t we have stayed this way? Why did they have to die?

“Don’t give up, Nero.” Nuria whispered, her fingers brushing against the flower petals. I realized what she meant, but it didn’t lesson the doubt swimming in my head. “You can still save her.”

of

“Can I?” I exhaled, glimpsing at my reflection in the pool. My eyes are red and puffy. “Nuria, Kiya wants to kill me because I hurt her. I want to save her, but I can’t ignore the possibility that…I might not be able to. What if I can’t?”

“What ifs are dangerous, my precious.” Mom squeezed my hand, pushing some strands of my hair behind my ear. Her thumb caressed my cheek. “But, you’re right. You hurt that darling and it stuck with her for years, but it wasn’t just you. Everyone, whether they directly harmed her or turned the blind eye, are also responsible…. including your father.” Hurt laced in her last words. I looked into her eyes and saw an amalgamation of pain and shame. Coming to terms that your mate abused a child couldn’t be an easy

thing to deal with.

Kiya used to refer to my mom as her aunt because she was close with her family. Mom loved her like she was her own. Maybe how Mom feels now is what Kiya felt every time she saw me for the first time. I squeezed her hand to let her know that I’m still here, but I wonder. Did Mom see everything? How else would she have known? I glanced at Nuria to see the same amalgamation in her eyes. “Your father and you used Nuria and I as scapegoats for the abuse. Who Lady Sanguine is today directly results from that. You’ve done wrong, and it is your job to make it right.”

I nodded. Lady Sanguine didn’t appear on a whim; Zircon Moon, collectively, created a weapon of our own destruction and she won’t stop until we’re all gone. “I know Mom, and I’m so sorry. I missed you and Nuria so much, and then Dad started talking and

“Shh.” Mom held a finger on my lips to shush me. Then, she leaned in and pressed a firm kiss on my forehead. “You were suffering, I know. But abuse is never justifiable. You cannot erase pain by causing pain to another.”

“Everyone knows Kiya isn’t responsible for what happened to Mom and I.” Nuria huffed, kicking her feet up. “She never was, and we never blamed her. Dad just hates her. It’s not even about losing us anymore!”

“However,” Mom intercepted. “The difference between you and your father, Neron, is that you’re learning from your mistakes. Not many people can do that.”

“Are you ashamed of–me, Mom?” I inquired, anxious. “Are you, Nuria? Kiya was your best friend.”

1/5

Not was, She is my best friend.” She corrected with a glower. “At first, I was deeply ashamed of you. I was furious, Selene showed us everything–the least painful parts, I suppose. You do not know how much I wanted to march out of heaven and strangle the shit out of you.”

“Nuria.”

She gulped. “Sorry, Mommy. What I meant to say is yes, I was ashamed, but not anymore, Neron.”

neither am 1.” Mom sighed, swinging her feet as she entered deep thought. “Zircon Moon is not what it used to be. I can’t

is my job to protect her, and I failed, back then and now! All I wanted was Dad’s love, and I hurt her to get it, and it turned out to be a load of bullshit. He never cared about me and

right?” Nuria asked.

do. So

Fight harder than you’ve ever done before. Your mate bond with Kiya went through hell and back, but its still there. Your love for her has to shine through this time. Losing her to another who

do I do

min. We can’t tell you how to reach to

“The question is, are you up for the

sank into a melting pot that molded into who Lady Sanguine is today; a manifestation of Kiya’s anger and hatred toward all who wronged her. But when I held her, she had every opportunity to kill me. My throat was exposed for her blade to

of the guilt of hurting her. Ever. I’ll carry that sin

Kiya? I don’t know.

I the one who can save her? I don’t

I will try. The future is uncertain, and danger continues to make its presence known, but I won’t run away.

can’t lose her, Mom.” I confided, pain pulsing in my veins once again. “She

– You Must Fight

family’s sake.”

too. Don’t forget about yourself!” Nuria added, giving me a playful shove. I

patted my long tresses with a loving smile. “Whatever you do and whatever path you take, know that Nuria and

bro, right Mom?” Nuria shot a wink at Mom, who rolled her

wonder what that’s

harsh words Dad implanted in my head. He doubted my abilities and competence to be a leader, and I doubted myself. If my father didn’t believe in me, why should I? I tried hard to appease him, but nothing worked. But now, with the two most important women in my life,

leave. A spasm of loneliness entered my heart, tugging at my heartstrings. I grabbed onto their hands for dear life like a child frightened of being left alone. I just got them back. A dream is a dream, but to me and the child–like innocence

of me didn’t want to wake up; it wanted to indulge in the love Mom and Nuria have for me. When I wake up, I’ll be alone again and they’ll be in their graves. But I have to leave also, because the real world won’t wait for me to get my bearings. I have to bring Kiya back to the light,

more than I love myself, and with my palms pressed together, I quietly thanked my

different if they were still

this moment

the women

a startled gasp, my eyes readjusting to the darkness after being in white for so long. The moon was fully shining through my window, casting a silvered glow on my desk. I’m back in my reality, but at

echoed through the hushed air, and loneliness took its place as my partner once more. The dream was so

my eyes, but I hastily wiped them away with my hands, sniffling. My world fell into that familiar chill once more. But Mom and Nuria left me with a smidgen of hope

73 You

“Hoo?”

appeared, sitting under the strip of moonlight on my desk, her gold eyes peering at me with

at the opened window, it all came back to me. I inspected her feathers to see no injury, bringing a wave of relief. The owl disappeared after the attack and I was so worried something might have happened, but I’m glad that the worry was a waste of time. A smile awakened on

her.

soft as

wondered, gathering the tiny bird in my large hands. “You won’t believe the dream I just had, Diana. 1…” I sighed. “I miss my mother and Nuria, a