The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4)(54)

“Willow bark. Vaze said you were bruised and looked a bit worse for wear. I thought you would refuse healing so I added painkiller to your tea,” Jala explained quietly, then stared in shock as Neph spat the tea he had been drinking into the floor between them.

Quickly, he pushed the cup back away from him and rose from the table, crossing to the sink in hurried steps. Without a backward glance at her, he leaned his head down to the faucet and rinsed his mouth out several times until he could no longer taste the slightest hint of the tea. Slowly he stood back upright and turned to look at Jala who was staring at him slack jawed.

“Are you allergic to willow?” Jala asked quietly, her gaze moving from the tea splattered floor to him in utter confusion.

“I’m a channeler, Jala,” Neph said slowly, his pale blue eyes locking on her violet ones. Honestly, he had thought she knew what his focus was, but it was apparent now that she didn’t. Painkillers were devastating to him and had he finished the cup he would have been crippled on magic until the herb’s effects wore off. “I’m bruised and scraped and my body aches and I’m more powerful because of it,” he continued and saw the light of recognition flicker to life in her eyes.

“Pain, Neph? You chose pain as a bloody focus?” Jala demanded. She shook her head at him and then glanced at the cup and back to him. “Bloody hell. It wasn’t much willow. I barely added any at all. I knew you never use painkillers so...” Her voice trailed off and she shook her head at him again. “Of all things, Neph, why did you choose pain?”

“Because it is the most constant thing I know, Jala,” Neph answered quietly and watched as her mouth snapped shut once more. Jala leaned back heavily in her seat and rubbed her face with one delicate hand smearing more flour across her cheek in the process. Now didn’t seem to be the time to point that out, however. His words had darkened her mood and he doubted teasing her would help much. “It’s fine, Jala. I can’t feel any effects and I barely took two drinks before you told me,” Neph assured her as he pulled a rag from the shelf and moved to clean up the mess he had made on her floor.

“Pain should be a rarity, Neph. Life should not revolve around suffering and loss with happiness as the fleeting part of our existence,” Jala said softly as she folded her hands on the table and stared down at her arm where Firym tattoos had once been.

Rising slowly, Neph dropped into his chair once more and tossed the rag on the side of the table. He leaned forward on his elbows and let out a long breath as he watched her. It was obvious that there was more to this display than anything he had said, but how much more he had no idea.

“I want to change that, Neph. I don’t want Legacy to grow up in this world. I don’t know anyone who speaks of what a happy life they have lived. Everything is pain and suffering or loss and loneliness. I want Legacy to look back on his life and smile rather than cry,” Jala continued, her eyes moving from her arm to his face. “Vaze is right. I do have so much to talk with you about, but please tell me what you mean about your people. I need to understand where all of the nations stand before I can continue my plans.”

“Isn’t that supposed to be Symphony’s job, Jala? Your focus is supposed to be Merro,” Neph said calmly. He knew all too well what Jala was like when she got obsessed with an idea. “You paved the road, remember? You don’t have to continue down it. You have shown others the direction they need to move.”

“You saw the council last night. They won’t simply walk the path I point in. I will have to goad them the entire way like a herd of pigs,” Jala grumbled. She rubbed her face and waved a hand in irritation. “Symphony is supposed to do it, yes, but that missive that was sent out is proof that she isn’t doing it. Delvay, Glis, and Merro were left off that list. Does she really think if she simply ignores us we will sit peacefully at home and hope she does what is right? Those are three names from our side of the alliance. Without us at the High Lord’s council to vote, our enemies have the majority.”

“Are we even sure our vote will count for anything? Symphony may plan on simply using the High Lords as advisors,” Neph pointed out. “Well then, whichever one she is taking advice from right now needs to be smacked upside the head,” Jala grumbled. “I have three months to get everything straightened out before the first council in Sanctuary. After that I will know how much work I have to do on the rest of the world.

If Symphony impresses me, I will focus on Merro alone. I won’t hold my breath for that, though.”