A Warrior's Second Chance (Faye and Alexander) novel Chapter 40

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Chapter 40

Sage strolled into her parents home that morning she could perceive the scent of herbs and

epizek mesh before the even reached the kitchen

She hesitated at the doorway, her hand brushing the frame, watching her mother’s Back Bent

slightly as she moved about in the kitchen

“Good morning. Mother,” Sage greeted, smoothing her tone. She crossed the threshold with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She wasn’t particularly in a good mood, but she knew her mother well enough to know she needed to drop that mood.

Her mother turned briefly, giving her a quick glance before returning to the pot. “Morning,” she replied, her voice clipped.

Sage pulled out a chair at the breakfast table and sat down, folding her arms on the wooden surface. “What are you making?” she asked, trying to sound casual as her eyes roamed the assortment of herbs, garlic cloves, and jars scattered across the counter. “And where’s Father? I thought I’d see him here.”

Her mother’s hands didn’t pause as she chopped some tomatoes finely on the board. “Your father hasn’t been eating,” she muttered, her tone carrying that gruff edge Sage remembered from childhood whenever her mother was displeased. “I’m making him a recipe to boost his appetite. The fever’s been lingering, mild as it is, but it makes him turn away from food.”

Sage’s brows arched high. She leaned back, surprised. “Father has a fever?” She frowned as though offended by the information reaching her this late. There was no way her father was sick and she didn’t know.”

Her mother finally turned to face her, her expression hardening into disapproval. “How would you know? You hardly check on us anymore since you became Luna. You float in here only when it suits you.”

Sage blinked, the sting of the words pricking her pride. She let out a dramatic sigh, clutching the edge of the table as though carrying the burden of her title. “Mother, really. You make it sound like I abandoned you. Do you have any idea how demanding being Luna is? I barely have time to breathe, let alone keep up with everyone’s colds and fevers.” Her tone rose in exasperation, but she forced it into a softer, pleading lilt by the end. “It’s not neglect. It’s the weight of my duty.”

Her mother turned away again, spoon in hand, as though Sage’s words didn’t deserve acknowledgment. She stirred the pot slowly, her back radiating disapproval.

Sage pursed her lips, drumming her nails against the table before breaking the silence.”

1/3

Where that Fatim go then?

Free madhesi chakum her mother replied Ratly and he be Bar this #femen

hê

Sage Stew it a teeth, tilting her head back as if the ceiling might offer her comfort Tine? the muttered then lifted her gaze back to her mother Til come back later to check on him”

that she didn’t rise from the chair. She stayed seated, her long fingers tracing the edge of the worst her eyes fiting restlessly between her mother’s back and the window

Her mother noticed she always noticed. Without turning, she asked, “So, what brought you here, really? Because I know it isn’t just to see if we’re alive.”

Sage blinked rapidly, caught. She leaned forward on the table, lowering her voice in mock earnestness. “I only wanted to ask if you’ve heard from Faye lately.”

At that, her mother froze. She turned slowly, her knife held loosely in her hand, and gave Sage a look sharp enough to cut deeper than the blade. Her expression said everything: What do you care?

Sage stiffened under the weight of the stare. She forced a laugh that rang hollow. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. I’m just asking because she doesn’t take my calls anymore. I thought maybe she’s spoken to you.” She didn’t know why she really felt the urge to communicate with Faye. Maybe it was the need to know how things were going for her at Blood Crescent. Was Faye doing better than her? What was she up to?

Her mother set the knife down with carefully and crossed her arms, facing her fully now. “And can you blame her?” she asked coldly. “After what you did? Tell me, Sage–if you were in her shoes, would you answer your own calls? Would you?”

Sage rolled her eyes dramatically, pushing away the guilt that clawed faintly at the edges of her chest. “Mother, must you always make me the villain? Yes, mistakes were made, but that doesn’t erase the fact that Faye and I are twins, we’re sisters. Nothing can ever change that.

Blood is blood.”

She gestured animatedly. “And maybe instead of trying to guilt me every time I ask about her, you could, I don’t know, try to talk to her yourself. Tell her to let bygones be bygones. What’s the point of clinging to grudges when family is all we have?”

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