Betrayed by Raye Wagner

Author:Raye Wagner [Wagner, Raye]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-11T04:00:00+00:00

11

Two and one half years ago

“Are you afraid?” Zîvrünê asked, voice heavy with concern as he settled on the stone next to me.

His question was ironic, considering our circumstances. Although, after six months of touring Qralî, maybe he’d adjusted to this new normal.

But for me, by the end of the day, my cheeks ached from all the fake-smiles and false-platitudes. I was tired of lying about all for the best and things have a way of working out. Here in the cover of night, away from the kümdâr’s and könserî’s entourage, I could relax and drop my mask of joy. Unfortunately for me, as soon as the mask and the pressure to perform disappeared, the truth wormed out of its box and crawled through me.

“You’re not?” I responded, scooting over a few inches to give Zîvrünê more space. “Are you not listening to your brother’s speeches?”

At every single outpost, Zerôn and Zîyanâ would stand together on a raised platform in the center of the marketplace, and he spoke of a new Qralî. Worse, Zîvrünê introduced them. Every. Single. Time. The once-heir extolled his brother’s virtues and told of his unfailing love for Zîyanâ—how he’d selflessly healed her—a total lie.

When Zîvrünê finished weaving his narrative, I joined him on the platform with a smile and a wave for the magî. It was all they could coerce from me—and even that was becoming abhorrent, leaving behind the bitter taste of deceit. But I’d continue to play my part. For now.

“Zerôn has always had dreams for our realm—”

“So have you,” I snapped. “Or were those lies, too?”

He stiffened beside me, and I almost regretted the words, but the flash of remorse was swallowed by the ever-present simmering anger. Zîvrünê could’ve said no, could’ve at least tried to deny Zerôn the rule. Instead, Zîvrünê honored his word and acquiesced the throne—just like that.

Zîyanâ and I had a fierce and bitter fight last night, a thousand times worse than our argument the day she told me she wasn’t going to partner with Zîvrünê. Only this time, when she hit me, I came back at her. An hour later, Zerôn sealed my hatred with a strap of leather to my back. He refreshed my memory of a very powerful, painful lesson from childhood: he was still equally adept at inflicting wounds as he was healing them, just like when we were younger.

I stuffed the memory away, relieved because of the space between me and Zîvrünê. Far enough that he wouldn’t be able to see into my mind and my shame.

He sighed, a long exhale that made my soul ache with the what-ifs of younger, more-naive, Dîsa.

“He will be a good ruler—he and your sister. She will temper his drive, and I have to believe it was the right thing.” He cleared his throat, but his voice remained hoarse. “She’s your sister, and if I hadn’t surprised her… It’s my fault she fell. I had to make it right.”

I flinched and turned toward him, searching his face—his tortured expression—for answers.

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