The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4)(11)

“But if we need numbers, why do we kill our children?” Neph broke in.

Kay glared at him for a long moment and rolled her eyes. “I am explaining that, Neph,” she grumbled shaking her head at him once more. “It’s two reasons, mainly. We cannot show weakness to the outside world. That is why our children are not permitted to leave Delvay at all until they are past the trial. If our enemies had any indication of how weak we are now, they would march in force without hesitation. We are insular; we always have been. Now, however, it is more hiding than anything else.” Her words faltered and she rubbed her face. “The other reason is for future generations. Our blood is already too weak now, Neph. That is why we don’t allow commons to live among us. We can’t afford to weaken ourselves further. Our lands are harsh; they do not provide much. We cannot have a large population here, and we cannot force the strong among us to provide for those too weak to take care of themselves. Everyone must do their part, and if they are too weak to do it…” Her voice trailed off and she shrugged at him.

“Zyi could have left like mother did. He could have exiled her and taken her name and then it wouldn’t have reflected back on Delvay. He didn’t have to kill her,” Neph argued, a spark of his anger returning at her callous words.

“No, he couldn’t have, Neph. Do you have any idea how many children fail the trial each year?” Kay spoke gently and watched him as he shook his head slowly. “No, I didn’t think you did. Too many, Neph. As I said, Delvay is failing. How could Ren let his daughter walk away after forcing so many others to die in the trial?”

“He could have let her go when she ran away. He could have disowned her after she was gone rather than turning his back on her after she was already on Death’s doorstep,” Neph broke in once more.

“No, he couldn’t. Despite how you say no one would know where she was from, they would. All it would take is for Zyi to talk about her past. One little whisper to someone she trusted and soon everyone wherever she was would know she was High Lord Delvayon’s errant daughter. People gossip, Neph. I loved Zyi as much as I love you, Neph, and I grieve for her passing, but she was weak.” Kay leaned back against the Pine tree and watched him as a wave of emotions washed over him.

The desire to lash out was so strong he had to bite his own tongue. Instead, he tilted his gaze up to the pale blue sky and tried to rein in his emotions once more. Kay had always been honest with him. Some truths, however, were painful to hear.

“Tell him all of it, Kay. Don’t let him walk out of here thinking he will find her.” Kadan’s voice broke the silence between them and Neph turned his gaze back to his brother. Slowly he looked back at Kay a frown creasing his face.

“Why won’t I find my mother if I search for her?” Neph demanded cautiously.

Kay closed her eyes for a moment then turned to glare at Kadan. “I was getting to that, Kadan. I trust the grave is done?” “It is,” Kadan agreed.

“Watch your words, then, or I will be digging another and you will be measuring your own work from the inside,” Kay said in a clipped voice before turning back to Neph.

“Delvay’s strength is failing, Neph. Magically, you are the strongest child that has been born in the mountains in the last five hundred years. Your sister showed potential as well, but she didn’t have the strength of will that you do,” Kay began carefully.

“What does my magic strength have to do with my mother?” Neph snapped.

“You are stronger than father ever was. It’s rumored that you are stronger than my Grandfather was. You don’t show any of the weakness that is plaguing Delvay. What does that tell you, Neph?” Kadan growled drawing another glare from their Aunt.

“Kadan, I’m warning you for the last time,” Kay said levelly. Turning back to Neph, she shrugged. “There is no pleasant way to explain, Neph, but what Kadan says is true. Add the fact that you were born early by nearly two weeks and the fact that your hair is blond while your mother’s was chestnut and well…” Her words trailed off once more and she shrugged again.

“So, I’m not truly Delvayon?” Neph gasped his eyes flickering between the two of them.

“Your mother was a cousin of our house, so technically you do have some Delvayon blood,” Kadan offered gently. “Well then, who in the bloody hell is my true father?” Neph demanded.

“No one but your mother knew that, and no one has seen or heard from her since the night you cast your first spell at three years of age. It was strong enough to knock a hole through the keep wall, and far more powerful than any Delvay child would have been capable of. After that, Ren told us all that she had run off. Most of us didn’t believe it,” Kay explained softly. She chewed on her lip for a long moment before meeting Neph’s eyes once more. “Delvay won’t stand much longer at this rate, Neph. My brother is leading us to ruin and only a few of us even realize it.”