“Atoning,” Nico rasped. He forced a smile, but his breathing was labored. Sebastian tried to muster a righteous rage, but it was failing. At that moment, he could only hear his father’s final request. Find your brother one day. Tell him he is forgiven. “You can stop atoning now,” Sebastian finally whispered. For a moment, they just stared at each other, until the age wrinkles and graying whiskers seemed to melt away. They were back to being two young brothers, resting atop one another, as if they’d just finished wrestling in the bedroom.
