Kanden cringed as Father screamed from the other room; Rumi had tentatively offered to set the bones in his fingers, but barely spared him a glance as she dipped her head and rushed into the bedroom. She hadn't been sent away — Father's disdain seemed to be reserved only for her son, but that didn't stop him from shouting profanities.

"Just two more," Rumi insisted patiently, "Your hands won't heal properly if you keep yanking them away."

Father snarled, and Kanden didn't need to imagine his livid expression as he spewed venom with each following word. "Oh, I must have forgotten to keep my fingers out of the way when Malus snapped them one by one!" Then, "Fuck! I wasn't ready for that!"

Was anyone ever prepared for pain?

A sigh carried into the main room through the open bedroom door. "Do you know where Ivarra kept the restricted pain medicines?"

A heavy pause followed, and Kanden tensed. No one had spoken Mother's name since Sabre killed her. It felt like an eternity and no time had passed, and the only thing keeping Kanden's heart intact was his refusal to face his pain head-on. Apparently, Father had the same idea because he sniffed loudly and cleared his throat several times, mumbling something and making eavesdropping difficult. Kanden had to scoot to the edge of the dilapidated sofa and ignore the spring poking his butt so he could listen better.

"...the wardrobe. There's a key in the bottom drawer."

"Kanden, sweetheart, can you come in here please?" Rumi's voice was kind as ever, encouraging even, as if her son hadn't committed the ultimate betrayal that may or may not end their relationship.

Using the couch for support, Kanden carefully stood, managing only a hiss this time when his rib twinged. Then he made his way into his parents' room, stopping at the threshold and looking anywhere but his dad and boyfriend's mother. Mother's floral scent lingered in the air — one of the reasons he loved working in the greenhouse was because the flowers reminded him of her — and his throat tightened.

Rumi stood before the open wardrobe, holding a metal jar while Father sat on the bed with his eyes closed. His bare torso revealed lacerations and bruises to match his face, and his hands seemed to have doubled in size.

When Rumi cleared her throat, Kanden met her cloudy eyes. She swallowed and pressed her lips together a few times before presenting the canister to him. "Can you brew a tea with this while I finish setting Bastion's fingers?"

Kanden opened the lid and gagged, snapping the container closed. Whatever it contained smelled like unwashed bodies after a week of hard work. "What is this?"

A low chuckle rumbled from Father's position on the bed, followed by a hiss. "It's used to numb pain, but the effects can be disorienting."

A recent memory of Mother telling him about herbs tickled his mind. This must have been what she'd been talking about when she'd mentioned the restricted plants. "I remember Moth—" He stopped himself when his breath hitched on her name and corrected himself to something easier. "I remember her telling me about this. She called it grass."

Another laugh. "It's harvested by a special team and kept under lock and key. Your mother always kept some around just in case."

"How come I didn't know about your stash?"

Father smirked. "Sneaking food to Zephyr is one thing, but I don't need him running around the caverns, giggling like a damn fool."

What was in this stuff? Were the effects that much worse than alcohol that it had to be so strictly regulated? Seeing Father loosen up might not be such a bad thing, though. And he was curious about such a simple, albeit smelly plant capable of such mayhem.

He left the room with a nod and went into the tiny kitchen, grabbing the tarnished kettle from the stove top. After filling it with water and setting the pot to boil, Kanden searched the cabinets for anything to drown the pungent odor. He finally settled on herbal leaves with a pleasant, sweet smell he'd used for sleep and prayed the grass wouldn't overpower it. Just smelling it gave him a headache and made him wrinkle his nose.

Bubbles gurgled in the kettle, and when the whistle pierced the air, Kanden poured two cups — one for Father and another for himself. Then he frowned as he waited.

Still debating whether he was brave enough to chance the offensive liquid, he jumped when the front door suddenly opened. At first, he worried someone had forced their way past the enforcers guarding the unit, but sighed in relief when Marina appeared, followed by Zephyr hobbling inside with one of his taller peers acting as a crutch.

Sweat dripped down Zephyr's ashen face, and he breathed as if he'd run a marathon. The frail young man sinking into the dilapidated couch was not the mythical god of the wind who'd taken on a mob.

Kanden took the cup meant for himself and stirred the brew, wrinkling his nose when he caught another whiff of the plant. Maybe being in pain was the better option after all, but he wouldn't deny Zephyr the opportunity to try. It couldn't be much better than the alcohol at the Doomsday party. He crossed the room and offered the still steaming cup, which his friend took with a grateful sigh. "This is from... it'll help with the pain."

Would he ever be able to say Mother's name again without his stomach twisting?

Zephyr raised his glass in a toast before taking a sip and choking, spewing the tea all over his shirt and the cushions. The way he stuck out his tongue and gagged made Kanden laugh. The grassy drink must have been really bad if Zephyr was willing to tolerate the sad excuse for ale but not this.

"What the hell is this?" he sputtered. "It smells like ass."

A smile tugged at Kanden's mouth. The small humorous moment did more to lift his spirits than anything else; including surviving the violent protests and ensuring his father's safety. Despite Zephyr's injuries, relief spread through Kanden's body. No one else could light a room like Zephyr; the world would become a dark place without the reckless enforcer's antics.

"Rumi told me to make some for Father. It was from my mother's stash."

The light behind Zephyr's features flickered and died. Lowering his voice and casting a furtive glance at the bedroom door, he asked, "I know you like her, but do you really trust her around your dad after what Ryker did?"

Kanden sighed, suddenly weighed down again by the burden of suspicion. "She's not him," he whispered. "She was one of my moth— mom's dearest friends, and Father didn't send her away. If he trusts her enough to help, that's good enough for me."

He didn't mention how Rumi had wordlessly brought his clothes from the safe room that he'd left in his haste to dress, asking nothing except how she could be of assistance while depositing the folded laundry in his hands. Besides, he'd suffered everyone's judgments for years in his father's shadow. He'd be no better than anyone else if he condemned her for Ryker's choices. Not that he didn't have concerns, but he couldn't afford to worry about that right now. He had more important things to focus on.

Returning to the kitchen, he retrieved Father's cup and went toward the bedroom, pausing long enough to say, "Drink the tea or don't, but this is the only pain medication you're getting until we can figure out our next steps."

A grunt followed a slurp as Kanden went into the room. Father and Rumi immediately looked away, staring hard at the cloth strips forming a splint around his fingers. Loose strands of hair shielded Rumi's face, but her hands visibly shook as she continued her work.

"Walls have ears, and Zephyr isn't quiet even when he whispers," Father sighed.

When Rumi tied off the last strip, she took the cup from Kanden and handed it to her patient, who gripped it between his palms. He pulled a face when he sipped the liquid, but didn't choke like Zephyr. "Ugh."

Clearing her throat and putting the supplies away, Rumi faced Father. "This is the best I can do for now, but you'll live. Just rest tonight and drink the tea as needed. It will help."

She started to move around Kanden, but he grabbed her shoulders and met her gaze when she had no choice but to look up. Moisture clung to her lashes, and this close, Kanden could see a strand of silver hair in her dark brows. After a few seconds, he blinked and immediately broke contact and retreated a step, blocking the door.

"Wait." She needed to hear this before she could walk away and avoid him. "I still believe in you." Kanden didn't know what else to say, but she had to know she wasn't to blame.

She shook her head and shrugged. "I appreciate you saying that." Her nostrils flared as she drew small, shallow breaths and sniffed. Then she rubbed her face on her sleeve. "I didn't know."

"I know," he assured, bringing her into a hug. "But I want answers, and I think you deserve some too." Peering at Father over Rumi's shoulder, he said, "I want to see Ryker."

He didn't ask — only stated his intentions.

Cup still in an awkward hold, Father grumbled under his breath before addressing Kanden. "Do you trust him to tell you the truth? He's all but admitted he lied to you."

Rumi whirled around in Kanden's embrace, almost knocking him over. "Oh, he'll give you answers. I'll slap it out of him if needed."

Survival instincts compelled Kanden to release her and retreat. That was the same tone Mother had used when her patience was wearing thin. It was a voice only a mom could use and master, scaring even the fiercest man in a room.

Father also seemed to get the message and shifted on the bed, putting space between them and almost spilling his drink. "Alright, we'll try this your way, but I want you to take one of the enforcers. Depending on what he knows, I could ask the tribunal to show leniency, but only if he didn't participate or encourage the violence."

Inching away until Kanden bumped into the door frame, he twirled his fingers around each other and spoke to Rumi. "Will that work for you?"

With one hand on her head and the other on her hip, Rumi paced a few steps. After a moment, she nodded. "I suppose that is the best I can ask for. To be honest, I'm surprised no one has ordered his death yet."

"We won't achieve peace if we remain stagnant with old laws that clearly aren't working." Father's speech suddenly slowed, and he swayed in place. Blinking, he inhaled a soft breath. "Shit, I didn't expect the brew to be this strong. Take... Olivine. I think I heard her at the door when Rumi came in."

Rumi was by his side in an instant, taking Father's cup before he dumped the rest of its contents onto himself, and set it on the rickety bedside table. Then she guided him against the headboard and propped pillows behind his back. "Thank you, Bastion. You're an ass sometimes, but I am glad you survived."

Eyes closed, Father's words tumbled over each other in deepening breaths. "You were dear to my wife, and I owe it to you, from one parent to another. Right now, these are our boys. Not criminals or elites or anything else; just our children. And I'd probably do the same in your shoes."

He had — in the Council Chamber when he lied to protect Kanden.

Rumi hugged him and gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "Thank you. Rest now; Marina and Zephyr are here, and they will look after you."

What began as a chuckle quickly turned into a full-blown chortle. The way Father's head lolled to the side made him wonder if Zeph looked this silly on the other side of the wall in the adjacent room. "That's cute. I can end a fight with my pinkie if it came down to it."

How modest.

"Goodnight, Bastion." Rumi rushed to the exit and took Kanden's hand, dimming the lights on their way out. Pins and needles numbed his hand the tighter she squeezed, but she didn't let go as she dragged him across the living room. And sure enough, the cup sat empty on the floor while Zephyr draped his ridiculously long legs over one broken side and his hand touched the floor. He stared straight up, humming an unfamiliar tune.

"I'd take it easy on the dosage next time," she whispered.

"It's not like you gave me instructions."

Marina stirred from the kitchen table. "Where are you two going?"

Back turning rigid, Rumi raised her shoulders and glanced over her shoulder. "I need answers."

And she left it at that, leaving her response vague, but the meaning wasn't lost on Marina. Tapping her nails on the table and bouncing her leg, she said, "I understand. He'd better give our boy a huge apology too."

Kanden blushed, thinking of the perfect apology. No matter how hurtful Ryker's deception had been, nothing could erase the imprint he'd left on Kanden's heart. The worst part was not knowing if his boyfriend would be honest or even speak to him now the act was up. But the only way he could find out was through confrontation. At the very least, he deserved closure.

"Let's go," Rumi urged, tugging Kanden's arm.

He obeyed, losing himself in his thoughts while his stomach churned and his mind whirred with dozens of scenarios. He paid the enforcers no mind as Rumi spoke and he rocked on his heels, counting and losing track of his racing heart beats. Before he knew it, they were moving again through the tunnels, and the only thing separating him from the truth was a metal door flanked by two guards.

Olivine uttered something to the men before the unlocked the door and held it open, ushering Kanden and Rumi inside. Still holding his arm, Rumi seemed to shrink against him now the moment had come.

Drawing strength from her presence and hoping to imbue courage to her, Kanden indicated the door. "Whatever happens, it'll be okay."

It probably wouldn't, but one thing that hadn't changed throughout history was the need to comfort others with optimistic uncertainty. Realistically, Ryker's future didn't hold much promise, even if someone did suspend his sentence. He'd never be trusted or respected again. But as people who loved him despite his betrayal, they were entitled to a small piece of hope, and Ryker the chance for redemption.

Rumi moved forward on unsteady feet, but kept her head held high. Kanden finally detached himself from her death grip when the door forced them to separate, shaking life back into his arm. Then he walked into the small quarters, prepared to hear the other side of the story that would determine Ryker's fate.