Page 78 of Knot All Is Ruined: Part 2

The two men turned to me with questions written all over their faces. “He saved my life doing what he did. Nonetheless, having to carry the weight of a parent's death, whether they deserved it or not, isn’t easy. We saw how well he took finding out his father was a cheater and a liar. This is going to be even harder for him.”

“How could he not say anything last night?” Toma questioned, hurt shadowing his eyes.

Pressing a hand to his chest, I shook my head. “You can’t think like that. It has nothing to do with you and your relationship. The moment he talks about it and other people know, it becomes real. Who knows how people will judge him? Think about it, he knows what Tru went through when people believed his father was a traitor. What Cris’s father admitted to last night is so much worse than I would have ever thought.”

“She’s right. He’s protecting himself right now from the perceived backlash he thinks is coming,” Petru agreed. “Let’s do as he’s asked and hear the whole story before we press him for more information. There might be nothing left to deal with now that he’s dead. However, if there is, we will help him navigate that with our full support.”

As we got ready for the day, we packed up the few things we’d used knowing we’d be leaving soon now that the militia was on the move. Dumping our packs by the front door, we gathered in the small common space where Cris was pacing, chewing on this thumbnail absently. Even without our bond, it was clear that he was in massive turmoil, but I had faith that once he told the others what happened, there would be no question about his actions.

“We’re ready when you are,” Petru commented once we were all seated.

“Maybe Dani should start since I assume this note has something to do with what happened last night,” Victor said, waving the piece of paper.

I agreed it was best for me to start. Then it would be crystal clear that he'd made the right choice other than not saying anything to them. I got so many looks of disapproval after explaining my trip to the mess hall, then getting snatched by an unknown assailant, and Cris coming to the rescue.

“Why didn’t you wake one of us?” Lucian snapped. “These bases are not as safe as we’d like to believe with the intermixing of the Northern converts.”

“I got up and dressed without you or Sorin moving a muscle. Do you realize how tired you must have been for that to happen? Most nights I shift in my sleep, and you're awake making sure I’m okay,” I justified.

Sorin’s frown deepened. “Not good enough, Dani-girl. You know we agreed you wouldn't wander off.”

“Can we put a pin in that topic? If the militia has been mobilized finally, it means this is almost over,” I reasoned.

Victor snorted. “You think that once this is over that we’re going to worry less about your safety? Little Spark, you’re smarter than that. Just because we have the power and stopped the war doesn't mean this place will change overnight. It’s going to be incredibly dangerous for you, especially since you're Lucian’s Omega.”

“It already is,” Cris bit out. “My father went after her because he believed she was the reason he kept failing to kill Lucian. He thought if he could kill her or hold her hostage that he’d have the upper hand. He’s also the one who pushed the attack on your outpost Lucian since your father wanted you dead. That failed, so he helped those Northern soldiers across the border to hunt you down, failing yet again. This was his final attempt to do what he’d been ordered to, and it got him killed by his own son.”

The guys didn’t say anything for a moment as they digested what Cris had just told them. This went way deeper than just trying to kill Lucian. Colonel Nems was a respected officer, giving him access to many things he could use against the South. His desperation not to get caught and to continue living the cushy life kept him from doing anything too drastic. Yet it made me wonder if someone like him is the reason Petru’s father got accused of being a spy. Especially if other Northern soldiers had infiltrated the same way, blaming innocent people for their actions. Once we managed things here, we’d have to address this with Sorin’s father to ensure nothing crucial had been altered or manipulated. The list of wrongs we’d need to right was ever-growing, and I wasn’t sure it could ever be completed. However, that was a worry for another day. Right now we needed to regroup and focus on meeting up with the Oscadian strike team so we could start making changes.

“Cris, I’m sorry about your father,” Lucian said, breaking the silence. “To be clear, I’m not talking about him dying. That undoubtedly needed to happen, just as my father’s death is inevitable. What I am sorry about is the fact you believed he was a good man who had some flaws but cared for you and your mother. To have those blinders removed and see the real person underneath it all makes you question everything about yourself. I will tell you the same thing an important person in my life always told me. You probably aren’t ready to accept it right now, but I’ll keep telling you either way.”

Pausing, Lucian stood and grabbed Cris by the shoulders so he could look the man in the eyes. “Sharing blood and DNA with someone doesn’t mean you are that person, or will even become like them. It just means they aided in your creation, nothing more. The person you become in life is a choice you make. So choose to be better.”

Tears burned in my eyes as I held them back, not wanting to upset everyone. Hearing Lucian be so vulnerable and honest with Cris had my heart swelling with pride and love for all these men. Roughly three months ago, we were seven people living our lives in such different ways you’d never believe we could be a family. Now when I saw interactions like these, it showed me just how far we’d come together. The two men hugged, which for Lucian was a big deal. Other than with me, he wasn’t one to accept or enjoy physical contact, but he clearly knew Cris needed it. Which is what I’ve learned from my guys, that this is what family does for each other.