The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 4)(9)

“Get the hell out of my sight. I’ve never hit a woman before, Kes, but if I so much as see you again, I will kill you.” Neph spoke the words with cool promise.

“Neph, I had no choice,” Kes muttered. Fumbling, she opened the door behind her, still staring at him with wide eyes.

“We all have a choice, Kes. You chose to kill my sister,” Neph snapped, his eyes flashing with anger, but he knew he was in no condition to act on it now. It was taking everything he had just to pack his bag.

“Had I refused, he would have thrashed me, Neph.” Kes pressed herself against the door frame, her eyes intent on his every move.

“And that is the problem with Delvay. We say we kill cowards, and yet everyone in this city is a f*cking coward. No one speaks his mind. No one dares defy my father. You are all weak pathetic bitches. Never again will I soften my words, and when something is wrong,” he paused and locked gazes with her. “I will act on it despite the consequences. I will never again bow down before someone who doesn’t deserve my respect. Lord Delvayon can kiss my ass and so can the rest of this god forsaken place. I will not return to Delvay until that bastard is dead.”

“Neph, please, I know you are angry, but he has forgiven you.” Kes’s eyes searched his face frantically as she spoke as if she was looking for some sign of rational thought. It was clear from the expression on her face she thought he had gone mad.

“I will never forgive him, or any of you for that matter. This is not what Delvay was. We were the heroes in the past, and he has led us down a much darker path. I will keep the name Delvayon for one single purpose. To set everything right.” Glaring at her, he motioned toward the door once more. “Go,” he ordered, allowing anger and hatred to fuel the word. She fled the room without another word, confirming his thoughts about cowards. They should all hang as Zyi had.

Swinging his bag over his shoulder, Neph walked from his room and down into the main hall, ignoring the staring faces that watched his progress. He had no words for any of them. They had avoided looking at him in the grove, but they all watched him now.

“Neph,” Kadan called from behind him, but he ignored his brother and continued for the door. He had one more purpose in Delvay and then he would leave and never look back, at least not while RenDelvayon lived.

Neph made his way in silence through the front gate and up the small path that led to the trial grove. Her body was still where he had left it, as he knew it would be. It was custom to leave the remains of cowards or traitors for the scavengers of the forest. He had known Kadan would leave her here, despite the fact that she had been neither.

Pulling his bag free from his shoulder he dropped it to the ground and knelt in front of her. His eyes traced over her face memorizing each detail. She had been his twin in everything. They shared the same eyes and pale hair. The only difference had been their strength. All of his life Neph had believed he was the stronger of the two of them, but Zyi had proved him wrong. Out of everyone in the city below, she had been the only one strong enough to tell RenDelvayon no, and she had died for it.

Slowly he pulled his dagger from his boot and gently cut a lock free from her tangled blond hair. Wrapping it carefully around his hand he sliced the edge of his palm and let his blood run slowly down to mingle with the dried blood already staining the hair. “I’m so sorry Zyi. I should have gone with you, or stood up to father. I don’t really know what I should have done. I just know I should have done something.” Neph paused and stared down at the bloodstained hair. Silently he clenched his fist around it before looking back down at her body once more. “It won’t happen again, Zyi. I promise you that. From this day forward I will speak my mind and to hell with the consequences. I will not back down when I know something is wrong.” He paused and tightened his hand on the hair. “I promise you I will help those who truly deserve it as I should have helped you, Zyi.”

Footsteps on the path behind him drew his attention and Neph glanced back at two riders approaching. Letting out a slow breath he stood and tucked the bloody strand of hair into his cloak pocket before turning to face them. He closed his eyes for a moment and willed himself back to calmness. There were so many emotions churning in his gut it was nearly impossible to keep from sobbing or screaming. Neph wasn’t sure which he truly wanted to do.

He recognized both of the riders, however, and now was not the time for either.

“By our beliefs, the dead do not hear our words. Once the soul has left the body it is in the hands of the Divine and no longer cares for mortal concerns.” His Aunt’s voice was calm and level as was the expression on her wind burned face. She was younger than his father by several years, but it didn’t show in her features. KayDelvayon lived most of her life outdoors and the effects showed in her numerous scars and deeply tanned skin.