The Blessed Curse (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #4)(9)

“Cowards,” Neph grumbled, his expression filled with disgust.

“What is the penalty for treason, Neph?” Kay asked sharply her eyes narrowing.

“It varies depending on the severity, but typically its disembowelment and being left to the mountains,” Neph answered slowly with a frown beginning to form on his face.

“Delvay is ruled by the strongest; it always has been. To disobey or to go against a direct order of our leader is considered treason. So unless you can take Ren in a fight, you accept what he says. No one in Delvay can defeat my brother yet. You might have considered that before you spoke so harshly to Kes. She had no choice but to do what she did.” Kay’s tone had grown harsher and Neph could see the anger she was working so hard to control.

“What do you mean, yet? You think Kadan will ever take over?” Neph asked dryly and shook his head in disgust. “Kadan doesn’t have the balls to challenge father.”

“And neither did you before today, but no, I wasn’t thinking of Kadan,” Kay answered with a faint smirk staring pointedly at him.

Eyes widening Neph returned her stare until she nodded slowly. “Me?” he asked dumbly, though she had already answered his question.

“My brother is a strong ruler, but he isn’t a good ruler, Neph. He is doing the best he can with what he has, though. The trials weed out the weak for several reasons and if you will be silent long enough, I will let you know them.” Kay paused and watched him as he nodded for her to continue. Her gaze flicked back to Zyi once more and her anger faded to what seemed to be resignation to his eyes. “Delvay is failing, Neph. Our heroes are gone and we are losing our strength. There was a time when only the best were chosen to defend Delvay. Now everyone must.”

“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.