The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)(2)

“She is my child. She will face the trial.” His father’s words were spoken in a low voice that suggested the topic was settled.

“Father, you have Kadan and me. Do you really need Zyi to pass the trial too? Send her to the Academy instead, please,” Neph pressed. His eyes searched his father’s face for any sign of mercy and found none.

“All Delvay face the trial. Zyi will as well. She carries my name. Do you expect me to let weakness grow in my family?” Ren demanded, his eyes narrow.

“Would you rather see her die, Father? There is a very good chance that will happen.” Neph’s voice cracked with his frustration and his father’s eyes narrowed further.

“Yes, I would rather see her die than bring weakness to our family. This discussion is over, Neph.” His father glared at him daring him to open his mouth again.

Neph shifted his feet and struggled to fight back the words he knew he would regret. He could feel his temper rising and knew if he didn’t leave he would regret it. No one spoke back to High Lord RenDelvayon, least of all his children. “As you say, Father,” Neph said softly through clenched teeth.

His gaze moved to the painting on the mantle as he turned back to the door. It was the only artwork in the room, and the only image of his mother left remaining in Delvay. He felt his temper cool as memories of her surfaced. They were bittersweet to be sure. Part of him hated her, and yet he could remember how she had treated them. His mother had been strong, kind, and as stubborn as stone. She might have been able to speak on Zyi’s behalf. His father might have listened to her. At the very least, RenDelvayon would have let her speak her mind fully, which was more than he was doing for his son. Pausing with his hand on the door, Neph glanced back at his father. “Not everyone is born for war, Father. Zyi’s calling could be something greater than either of us guess. She could be a healer, or a scholar, or so many other things. Please just give her a chance. Exile her and take the family name from her if she shames you, but don’t force her to do something she isn’t capable of doing, please.” Neph spoke the words softly and didn’t bother waiting for a response. There was little point to it. Mercy wasn’t a word found in the Delvay language, even when dealing with their children.

More laughter erupted from the main hall, but the thought of drinking and laughter no longer appealed to him at all. Turning slowly, Neph headed for the stairs and his own rooms. Tomorrow would be a disaster and he knew it. Zyi had left the courtyard with bruises lacing both of her arms and very little sign of improvement to her defense. No matter how many times he had worked with her on spells or blades, she never improved. Her heart simply wasn’t in it. His steps paused as he neared her door. He could still see the glow of candlelight from beneath the door, but there was no sound from within. Without bothering to knock, he pushed the door lightly and leaned on the door frame to look inside.

Zyi was seated under the window, her back pressed against the dark stone wall with a snow cat kitten curled in her lap. Her eyes were bloodshot and dried tears streaked her face. Looking up at him, she smiled weakly and waved him in.

“I tried to talk to him,” Neph offered softly as he stepped inside the room. His eyes roved over the colorful paintings and tapestries that filled the small room and he smiled faintly. Every other part of the Delvay keep was somber and dark. Zyi’s room, however, was as bright and cheerful as a sun-filled meadow.

“He didn’t listen,” Zyi concluded with a sigh and nodded to him. “He never listens. Thank you for trying, though, Neph.”

Neph nodded slowly as his gaze fell on the packed bag hidden just beneath the edge of her bed. He studied it for a long moment and nodded again. “I even tried to get him to exile you,” Neph continued as he turned back to her.

Zyi gazed up at him and then slowly stood. Carefully she shifted the kitten in her arms and offered it to Neph. “I waited for you to come upstairs,” she said, her tone so low the words were barely a whisper.

Watching her carefully Neph took the kitten and stood silently as she gathered her bag over her shoulder. “Where?” Neph asked. He knew he should be stopping her, but he didn’t have the heart to. Their father had been quite clear on the subject of her leaving, and he would be furious when he found out that Neph had known.

“Away. Anywhere is better than here, Neph,” Zyi whispered, her eyes growing glassy once more. “You are the only thing I will miss here.” Moving quickly she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

He could feel her tears soaking through the cotton of his shirt as he wrapped his own arms around her tiny frame. She was so much smaller than the rest of them, so delicate and fragile. The idea of her being alone in the world terrified him, but then the thought of her facing the trial frightened him more. If she couldn’t stand against him and hold her shields, she didn’t have a prayer against the odds they would face tomorrow. “Let me go with you,” Neph began unsure exactly where the words had come from. He didn’t actually want to leave Delvay, but then, he didn’t want to see her go alone, either. No one else would understand her. Not like he did anyway. She was his twin; he knew her better than anyone else ever could. He had always protected her. What would she do without him to guard her from others? In Delvay, it had been childish teasing. The outside world would be so much worse and he knew it.

Zyi laughed, and the sound was choked with her tears. Pulling back from him she shook her head and smiled. “I love you so much for offering, Neph, but your place is here and we both know it. I only waited here so I could say goodbye. I never thought that you might go with me.”