Alec’s

Chapter 288



I walk through the corridors, my head bobbing to music only I can hear.

I'm on a mission. And that mission is to find my sister.

Ever since we turned sixteen, our training and study sessions have doubled. Don't get me wrong, we still get breaks and time to hang out with others—but

everything else takes a backseat to our education and combat prep.

Lately, though, I haven't seen Xena outside of training, classes, or meals. We're twins. We should be joined at the hip, but sometimes, it feels like we're slowly drifting apart.

We're no longer as close as we used to be. No more late-night chats in each other's rooms, no spontaneous hangouts. Just silence and space between us.

I hate it.

I know we're growing. I know we're not little girls anymore, and I get that we're becoming our own people and we have lives separate from each other. But this feels like more than growing up. It feels like the bond between us is thinning. Like a thread fraying, one strand at a time.

We have different friends now. Separate routines. But none of that should ever take away from the fact that we're sisters. That we're twins.

So today, I'm making the effort. It's evening, training is done, studies are over, and for once, I'm free. And I want to spend that time with my favorite person in the world.

"Have you seen Xena?" I stop one of the palace servants in the corridor.

She bows politely, eyes focused on the floor. "She's in her room, Your Royal Highness."

Ugh. That title again. I know it's protocol because of who my mother is, but I hate it. I'd much rather be called Nyx.

"Thank you," I murmur, and head toward Xena's room.

I knock once I arrive. A few seconds later, her voice floats from inside.

"Come in."

I twist the knob and step in.

It feels like forever since I've been in here. While I've changed my room over the years. New colors, new designs, because I get bored easily; hers has remained the same. A little dark. A little moody. Classic Xena.

"What are you staring at?" she asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

She's sitting cross-legged on her

bed;

always, she's in black. Honestly,

bet

don'Dthink she owns a single item of

clothing that isn't black or grey.

"Nothing," I mumble, shutting the door behind me. "Your room still gives me the

chills, by the way."

She snorts and goes back to her books.

"What are you doing?" I ask as I walk over to her bed.

"Seriously?"

"Okay, stupid question," I laugh awkwardly. "My bad."

"You think?" she says dryly. "Anyway, I should be asking you that."

I sit on the edge of her bed. "Can't I just come see my sister?"

"You can. But we haven't done that in ages."

She's not wrong. Ugh. How did we get to this point?

"I know," I say quietly. "That's why I came. I miss hanging out with you. Lately, it

feels like I barely see you unless we're training or eating."

She pauses, then slowly closes her books and pushes them aside. She reaches for my hand and gently turns me to face her. I take the chance to settle fully onto her bed, crossing my legs. noveldrama

"I've missed you too," she murmurs. "I can't believe we let it get like this."

"I know. It was supposed to be us against the world. And now... we barely talk."

She sighs. "I've just been so focused. Studies, training... I barely have time for anything."

"Even me?"

She glances away, guilt flashing in her eyes. "Even you."

As you can guess, Xena is an overachiever. She's one of those kinds of people that are way too determined to achieve their goals. If there is a mountain to be climbed or sea to be crossed, you bet your ass that Xena will do it.


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