36 A temptress

"It's okay, Lyre. I want you to have the life I will never have." Veryn's expression was pained.

He looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but there presently.

"You—"

He turned and knelt in front of Lyre. Veryn gently held Lyre's jaw, to make him focus on him. "Do you know you are the reason I'm this way, Lyre? You have a body that makes men want to sin, and that's why I'm suffering."

"I—"

"You need to leave before I change my mind, Lyre. Go to a place farther from here, and don't you ever return."

"Veryn—"

"I love you, Lyre."

Veryn said before he did something Lyre never thought his brother will ever do. He kissed Lyre before he rose.

Stunned, Lyre sat on the floor and watched his brother leave.

No sounds escaped from his mouth as he tried to process what happened.

The only thing he could think of was the words his brother said.

He was a temptress who has a body that can lead men to sin.

He was just like what his mother has always said he was.