cribellate | Declan Lynch | The Raven Cycle

Why did you think that?

[Their dad was magical. In more ways than one. Their dad was magical and he was magic but Declan was pretty sure that none of them knew about it except for him. He thought of all the things he had of their father, he was the one with his charm, his smile, and his secrets.]

[ Matthew doesn't have a very good answer for that, not one that's easy to pin down. ]

I don't know. Because of everything that's been going on this summer. Because... nothing bad ever happened before he died.

[ So every bad thing after feels related. ]

And both of you guys have been keeping secrets.

[ It's not even the least bit accusatory, the way he says it. Just true, and he knows it's true now for sure, because Ronan promised to tell him everything. That happened, didn't it? It doesn't upset him, that they've been hiding things, but he wants to know what's going on, too. ]

[He goes quiet. He's been keeping secrets and Matthew knew it.

He goes quiet.

There's a look on his face like he wants to tell Matthew everything, but at the same time, he can't do it. He can't bring the words out from where they hide under his skin and to his mouth.]

It's my job to protect you.

It's my job to protect you both, but Ronan doesn't want it, so I have to-

I have to keep you safe.

[ They're close enough for Matthew to put out his hand and touch Declan's arm, and that's what he does, looking at him with trust and affection in his eyes. He's a simple boy, spun from the dream of a child; many of the world's harsh complexities escape him, but not the struggle that passes over his brother's face. ]

I know. It's fine.

[ And it is, because he knows, he knows Declan would never keep anything from him to hurt him. Declan would never do anything to hurt him. ]

Sometimes I just want to know what's going on. I don't want anything to happen to you, either.

It's not-

It's not fine.

[He presses his head into his hand for a moment.]

You shouldn't have been hurt like this.

I'm okay. I'll be okay.

And I'll be careful. It won't happen again.

[ Surely that's right, surely what Kavinsky did to him is one of those terrible things that can only happen once in a person's life. ]

[He presses his hands against Matthew's curls.]

I just need you to be safe, all right?

[ Matthew gives a small nod, trying not to move his brother's hands away. He feels safer now than he has for the better part of the day, with Declan here--Declan, who believes him about what happened--and Ronan still out in the hall.

He reaches up to touch Declan's arm again. ]

Hey. You won't change your mind about going to D.C., will you? Not because of this.

[ Matthew would feel terrible if he did. ]

[He looks away from Matthew for a moment.]

I could find you a school there.

[He knows it won't work. He knows it can't work. They all have to finish at Aglionby for the will.]

I don't want to stay.

[ Matthew pushes himself up on his elbows again, insistent. ]

You should go. That's what you decided to do, and--

That's what you wanted.

[ He doesn't know what to say about the other part, the suggestion that he go with Declan, too. It takes him a moment. ]

But I thought I had to stay. Until I'm eighteen. At Aglionby.

[ He looks at his brother, uncertain. It's not just because of the will. Everything he knows is here in Henrietta, or at their home a short drive away. ]

You do.

[He says it softly.]

I want you to be all right.

I will be, [ he promises, because even now, even after Kavinsky, he's still innocent enough to believe such a guarantee is possible as long as he tries hard enough. And he will try, for Declan.

If things get out of hand again, he still has faith that Ronan will be there, too. ]

I'll be careful, and I'll keep my grades up. And I'll wait on learning how to drive until you can teach me.

Declan Lynch | The Raven Cycle

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