The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)
By Melissa Myers
For Faythi
You have many nicknames, but this was the first that I knew you by.
Thank you for your constant support. You always know exactly what I’m saying, and exactly what to say in return.
(Even when the topic is just wrong.)
I would be lost without you.
Prologue
Cool wind cut across his sweat-soaked back as Neph let his sword relax in his hand. He wiped his face with the back of his arm and studied his sister. He’d lost her attention again. With a sigh, he followed her gaze to the courtyard wall where two kittens had begun their own duel. “Zyi. We don’t have time for this.” Neph spoke softly and her eyes flicked back toward him.
“They are so cute when they are small.” Zyi’s mouth was curved into a gentle smile and her pale blue eyes danced with amusement. “All fuzz and energy,” she added with a wistful glance toward the kittens, her smile slowly fading at the expression on his face.
“Zyi, the trial is tomorrow. You have to focus,” Neph pressed, his voice thick with his frustration. He’d been working with her for weeks on her shields and defense without much improvement, and she didn’t seem to be taking any of it seriously.
“I know, Neph,” Zyi sighed. Her back straightened and she raised her sword again with an expression that suggested he was torturing her.
“I don’t want to run the trial, Neph. It is hard for me to focus on something I hate the thought of.”
“You have to, Zyi. All Delvay face the trial when they reach our age,” Neph said, repeating words he had spoken a thousand times in the past month.
“Then let me face it tomorrow, Neph, and let’s do something that’s actually fun today,” Zyi offered, her smile returning as she stared up at her brother. Her sword dipped toward the ground again as she stepped closer. “Swimming? It’s certainly hot enough today. We could go riding. How long has it been since you have had a break from training, Neph?” Her voice was hopeful and Neph felt himself smiling in return.
“Zyi, your defense is appalling, your attacks are weak, and there are field mice with more focus than you. We need to train.” Neph slowly shook his head at her and her smile faded. She nodded in return and lifted her sword once more. “I won’t let you fail this, Zyi. We will work all night if we have to,” Neph promised.
“I’m not like you, Neph. I don’t have the warrior’s soul that Father is always preaching about. I don’t want to fight. I don’t want to kill, and I don’t want to face this stupid trial.” Zyi’s voice rose as she spoke and Neph glanced back to make sure they were still alone in the courtyard. “What does this trial prove anyway? That we are as strong as the mountains, like father says? I’m not. I admit it freely. So why do I have to face the trial?”
Neph turned back to look at her, his eyes locking on her own. Her bitterness was as clear in her voice as the frustration was in his.
“Because all Delvay do. Please watch your voice, Zyi. If someone overhears you saying that, Father will thrash you,” he warned in a low voice. “Thrashing me for being honest? How noble is that? It would be nice to be able to speak the truth for a change,” Zyi hissed. Angrily she pushed her pale blond hair back from her face once more and glared at him. “Well, come on, Neph, train me to be a better liar. Help me hone skills I despise.” Her sword raised and she dropped low into a defensive stance.
Neph slowly shook his head and smiled down at his twin. Her eyes narrowed at his expression and he held up a hand in a gesture of peace. “How about, rather than train you to be a better liar, I help you earn the right to speak the truth. Once we pass this trial, Zyi, we are full citizens. As children, we can’t speak our mind; as citizens, we can,” he offered.
Zyi sniffed and rolled her eyes. “As if you have anything to speak your mind about, Neph. You are father’s golden child. He gives an order and you obey. You and Kadan are just like him,” she grumbled, but her sword was still in the ready position. “Come on, then. Help me earn the right I should have been born with.”
“First of all, get your damned shields up Zyi. Magical protection can save your life. Never forget your shields!” Neph snapped as he sprang toward her, his sword flashing. If she wouldn’t listen to his words, he would hammer them into her skull with his sword.
*
Laughter echoed down the hall behind him as Neph made his way slowly toward his father’s door. He paused at the sound and considered turning back to the main hall to join the others in drinks. With a heavy sigh he shook his head and placed a hand on the cold stone of the door and pushed it gently open. “Father, I need to speak with you,” Neph said in a voice just loud enough to carry to the next rooms as he stepped inside. As he had expected, the sitting room was empty. His gaze turned automatically to the door of his father’s prayer room as it opened.
“About what?” RenDelvayon demanded, his expression filled with warning. His father was a large man, towering over his children in height and strength.
Bowing his head with respect Neph inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly. Nothing he had to say would please his father. “About Zyi, Father. She isn’t ready for the trial and honestly, I don’t think she ever will be,” Neph began in a steady voice. His father despised weakness above all else. Now was not the time to show nerves.