In Airam's room, the sound of crying carried softly through the closed door.
Esther sat curled in Airam's lap.
Her small body shook with every breath. Airam held her securely with one arm while the other moved slowly through Esther's tangled blond hair, smoothing it down again and again in an attempt to calm her.
"I…" Esther choked on the words. "I—It is my fault....it is all my fault…."
"It is not your fault, Esther," Airam said.
She hated seeing her little sister cry.
Usually, when someone hurt Esther, Airam knew exactly what to do. She would find the person responsible. She would make them regret it. She would not care how powerful they were, how high their status stood, or what consequences followed afterward.
But this time, she could not hate the person responsible.
Not anymore.
She could not hate Ulrich.
Esther shook her head against Airam's chest.
