Ky and Tadaaki woke early. They usually did so they could be ready for whatever tasks Aleth had for them when he woke up — and last night had had the added uneasiness of wondering if a mere door could stop an angry Aleth. At least, both of them did get some sleep, however restless they both were.
Ky woke up before he did. She sat on her cot under her covers with them pulled all the way up to her neck, as if that could give her the comfort she longed for. She doubted anything could do that. She pulled up her sleeve and looked at the marks of Aleth’s fingernails on her wrist. She was so weak. She knew fully well that she was a mere day away from being free of him. Knew that she could physically overpower him just then if she wanted to. And yet she’d stood there and calmly took his abuse without so much as a whimper.
She looked over as Tadaaki sat up. He rubbed his face and looked at her then swung his legs over the edge of the bed, stood, and walked to her then gestured for her to move over. She scooted to the side and he sat down next to her, pulling the blanket over his legs as well.
“He was in Aleth’s room?” Tadaaki’s voice was barely more than a breath as he nodded as Ky’s wrist.
She nodded.
Tadaaki cringed and wrapped his arm around Ky’s shoulders. She gratefully leaned against his chest and tugged her sleeve down. She responded, just as quietly, “It’s not a big deal.”
“What happened?”
“Alexander asked me to help so he could go help her.” She nodded vaguely towards Lyra’s cot but didn’t look over. “Aleth woke up.” She shrugged. “I didn’t even try to stop him, Aaki. I’m such a coward.”
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