Tears gathered in her eyes. “My head… it hurts so much…”
“The doctor said that’s normal. You hit it pretty hard.”
Her lower lip trembled. “I was so scared. When I felt myself falling… I thought I was going to die. I thought I’d never see you again.”
The raw fear in her voice twisted something in my chest. This was Blair – the girl who’d learned to fight beside me, who’d earned her position as Gamma through pure determination.
“Hey. I reached out to squeeze her hand briefly, then pulled back. “You’re okay. The doctors took good care of you.”
Blair struggled to sit up, wincing with the movement. “I ruined everyone’s day, didn’t I? God, I’m so stupid. I should have listened to Sable…”
‘It was an accident. These things happen.
She pressed her palm against the bandage, tears spilling over. “I just wanted to impress you. To show you I could handle a faster pace.”
“Blair-“
‘I know, I know. I was being reckless.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s just… sometimes I feel like I have to prove myself constantly. Like I don’t really belong.”
Something cold settled in my stomach. I’d heard variations of this speech before. Blair’s insecurities about her place in our family weren’t new.
“Blair.” I kept my voice gentle but firm. “You know I care about you. You’re family.”
She smiled through her tears. ‘Could you… could you help me eat something? My hands are shaking. I think it’s from the concussion.”
‘I can call for a nurse to help-“
‘Please, Caelan. Nurses don’t know how to be gentle. And I only trust you.”
She tugged on my sleeve. “Just this once? I promise I won’t ask for anything else.”
The request set off alarm bells in my head. Blair was perfectly capable of feeding herself. This was manipulation, pure and simple.
I gently extracted my arm from her grip. “Blair, you’re not a child anymore.”
‘I know, but-
“I’m getting married. I have a fianc?e now.” My voice hardened. “We need to maintain appropriate boundaries.”
Sable’s POV
I paused outside the partially open door when I heard voices inside.
-need to maintain appropriate boundaries.”
Caelan’s voice, firm and resolute.
“Boundaries? Between family?” Blair’s response carried hurt and confusion.
“Between a man and a woman who aren’t married to each other. That’s just how it has to be.”
My chest tightened with unexpected warmth. Even with Blair injured and vulnerable, Caelan was establishing clear limits. Protecting the integrity of our relationship.
Then Blair’s tone sharpened. “If Sable is so insecure that she’d be jealous of you helping an injured family member…”
My nails dug into my palms.
“This isn’t about Sable’s feelings,” Caelan replied.
“Isn’t it? A real queen should be magnanimous. Understanding. Not petty about every little interaction.”
Petty. The word hit like a slap.
“If she can’t even allow you to care for someone who’s hurt, how is she going to handle the complexities of royal life? Maybe her heart isn’t big enough for the responsibility of ruling a kingdom.”
Heat flooded my veins. Blair’s poisonous words painted me as small-minded and cruel.
She really thinks she can manipulate him against me.
“Excuse me, miss.” She gestured for me to move aside. “I need to check on the patient.”
A nurse appeared, pushing a small cart loaded with medical supplies.
I stepped back, but it was too late. The nurse’s voice had carried clearly into the room.
“Sabi?” Caelan moved to me. “You came.”
“You were standing out there listening?!” Blair’s shriek echoed off the walls.
I squared my shoulders and walked into the room.
The nurse looked between us with obvious confusion before busying herself with Blair’s IV line.
Caelan followed me in, positioning himself near the window.
“Why are you even here?!” Blair’s voice cracked with rage.
I moved to stand at the foot of her bed, meeting her glare directly. “Why wouldn’t I be here?”
“You- She glanced at Caelan, then back at me. “After what happened-
“What exactly happened, Blair? You were thrown from your horse. It was an accident.”
Her mouth worked soundlessly.
‘Or are you saying it wasn’t an accident?” I met her gaze directly. “Are you accusing me of deliberately causing your injury?”
The nurse finished her checks and bustled out, clearly eager to escape the tension.
Blair’s face crumpled as tears flooded her eyes. She looked toward Caelan with the expression of someone being forced to reveal a terrible secret.
“Caelan, I don’t want to say this, but…” Her teeth caught her lower lip like she was wrestling with an impossible decision.
‘It was Sable who kicked my horse.”
“What?” I stared at her in disbelief.
Blair’s sobs grew louder, her voice breaking with each word. “I know it sounds crazy, but I saw it happen. Sable walked behind my horse, then she kicked it in the belly. The mare spooked because of her attack.”
She pointed directly at me. “She wanted to hurt me!”
Caelan’s brow furrowed deeply.
She actually has the nerve to lie this blatantly.
“Sable. Caelan’s voice carried emotions I couldn’t decipher. “Tell me what really happened.”
Blair immediately turned toward him. “Why are you even asking her? Don’t you trust your sister?”
Her voice cracked with fresh tears. “We’re family, Caelan. When have I ever lied to you? I’ve sacrificed everything for this family, for you…”
The family card. Of course.
‘I’m lying here injured in a hospital bed, and you’re still questioning my word?” Blair’s tears fell like broken pearls. “If even you don’t believe me, then what’s the point of my existence-“
Caelan raised his hand, cutting her off mid-sentence.
“Shh. Be quiet.”
Blair’s words died instantly. Fear flickered across her features.
Caelan turned to face me.
I drew a deep breath and met his gaze. “If I tell you the truth, will you believe me?”
Silence.
A few seconds stretched between us, but they felt like centuries to me.
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