Page 10 of Tears of Ruin

“I see your point,” Dane argued, “but if we’d helped each other instead of burying our problems, like you said to me almost a year ago, we might’ve been able to heal sooner.”

“So we just, what, highjack him and become his friend?” Kyson asked.

“No!” I felt my eyes glowing brightly. That was the last thing Noam needed. Too many of his choices had been taken from him. I would be damned if I allowed that to happen again.

Kyson and Dane stared wide-eyed at me. I’d shocked even myself with my vehement outburst. Not once had I allowed my composure to slip while living here. The last time I’d let my emotions control me…

A slow smile formed on Kyson’s face, but he had enough tact, at least right now, to keep his thoughts to himself.

“We weren’t going to actually kidnap him, Richard,” Dane said, still appearing stunned.

I needed to back off of Noam. He was getting under my skin.

Look at you. This isn’t how a future king behaves.

My anger boiled at my father’s words. He was the last person I would take advice from.

Instead of continuing the conversation, I started to clean the kitchen, using the time to not only compose myself but to list every reason why taking Noam under my wing was a very bad idea.

* * * *

After three times knocking, I entered Noam’s room, concerned that he hadn’t answered. The first thing I noticed was the open bathroom door.

The second thing was Noam softly singing. He was off-key, but there was a vulnerability in his voice that made my heart ache.

“...and I-I-I will always love you-ou-ou,” Noam’s voice cracked on the high note, followed by a string of muttered non-curses.

I stood frozen, not wanting to interrupt this private moment. Noam’s vulnerability was on full display, and I felt like an intruder.

But I couldn't bring myself to leave. When was the last time I let my guard down and just acted like myself?

I hesitated, torn between announcing my presence and allowing him this moment of normalcy. The decision was made for me when the singing stopped.

“Hello?” His voice echoed slightly in the tiled bathroom. “Is someone there?”

I cleared my throat. “It's Richard. I apologize for intruding, but you didn't answer when I knocked.”

There was a brief pause then the sound of sloshing water. A moment later, Noam’s head peeked around the corner of the bathroom door, his hair dripping wet.

“I apologize for barging in.” I held up the small pile of clothes Kyson had given me. “I brought these for you.”

His gaze dropped warily to the clothes. “For me?”

Genuine shock registered in his hazel eyes, as if no one had ever freely given him anything. I felt his mistrust like a blade to the chest.

I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Yes, they’re for you. I thought you might like something clean to change into.”

Noam’s eyes darted between me and the clothes, as if trying to decipher some hidden motive. After a long moment, he reached out with one dripping arm and took the clothes. “Thank you,” he mumbled, disappearing into the bathroom but not before I saw his reflection in the mirror, revealing a network of scars across his back. I caught the growl before it escaped. Instead, I went to the door, grabbed the tray I’d left out there, then brought it inside.

I set the tray on the small table near the window, arranging the bowls and spoons. The ice cream was already starting to melt, rivulets of chocolate sauce trickling down the sides of the glass dishes. I took a seat, giving Noam space to emerge from the bathroom at his own pace.

A few minutes later, the door creaked open. Noam stepped out hesitantly, tugging at the borrowed clothes. They hung loosely on his frame, emphasizing how thin he truly was.

“Better?” I asked, keeping my tone light.

Noam nodded, his damp hair falling into his eyes. He hovered near the bathroom door, gaze darting between me and the ice cream.

“I wasn't sure what toppings you'd like, so I added everything,” I explained, pushing one of the bowls toward him.

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