When Fenrin woke up, his mother was stroking his hair. His head was on her lap. "M-mother?"

"Shhhhh. How do you feel?"

He tried to think how he felt, but his brain was like molasses. "Not sure," he slurred and closed his eyes. When he woke up again, his mother handed him a glass of water and, drinking it, his mind cleared. He remembered the battle.

"They already left, didn't they?" he asked sullenly. He was surprised when Dyla pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Your sister and father had a disagreement."

Fenrin's eyes widened. "What happened?"

Dyla sighed. "Your father wasn't happy with your sister's...methods and she pressed him. I'm glad you didn't see it."

Suddenly, Fenrin was worried for his sister. "Lyra?"

"A bit worse for wear but she'll recover, she's locked in her room."

"Locked?"

"Tied. Tied up in her room."

Fenrin couldn't help but chuckle and his stomach lurched and he threw up on the floor. "The hell did she give me?"

"I don't know. She said you'd be fine though. I just..." Dyla choked and her hand covered her mouth and she began to sob. Fenrin held her awkwardly, his brain still swimming and not quite understanding what was going on.

Finally, Dyla recovered herself. "I'm sorry. I should be with your father."

She tried to stand but Fenrin held her down. His concerned grey eyes so much like Bryn's. "What really happened, Mother?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure of everything. I know Bryn is mad, maybe at himself and Lyra. Lyra challenged him and he lost his temper. I'm not entirely sure why she did it, but I think she realized she wasn't fighting you."

"What do you mean?"

Dyla brushed some hair out of her son's eyes. "Your sister and your father are too alike. Both want what they want, damned be the consequences. In Lyra's case, that was to rattle her father, the man who controlled her life. And she succeeded."

Fenrin mulled that over. "Why doesn't he just take both of us?"

"Maybe he could have once. But the damage is already done."

"Why didn't he?"

Fenrin watched his mother, a trembling fragility there that she kept well hidden. "I don't know. Maybe he thought being alone would make you grow stronger, more independent. Or maybe he was afraid."

"So what now?"

"I don't know, Fenrin. I honestly don't know."