Rise and Fall: Book One of the Blood and Tears Trilogy by Joshua P. Simon

Author:Joshua P. Simon
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: Joshua P. Simon
Published: 2011-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“When will you be back?” asked Elyse, tears streaming down her face.

“When Father isn’t around anymore,” said Jonrell in a voice cold and hard.

“You mean when he’s dead?”

“Yes.”

“How can you say that? How can you be so cruel?”

Her brother threw up his hands. “Cruel? It’s the truth. I’ve been away studying with Amcaro for over a month and what does Father do when I return? Does he welcome me with open arms? Does he ask what I’ve learned? Does he tell me that he misses me? No, of course not,” said Jonrell his arms shaking. “He takes the first opportunity he can to belittle me, to embarrass me…”

“Maybe he was having a bad day,” said Elyse, trying to find some excuse for the king’s behavior.

“Having a bad day? He struck me! For nothing!” He threw up his hands. “Every day has been a bad day for him since Aurnon died. It eats him up inside knowing that I’m in line to take the throne and not his first born. I know he blames me for Aurnon’s death.” Jonrell’s voice trailed off. “And maybe he’s right.”

“Don’t say that. You were only five.”

Jonrell shook his head. “Don’t try. You weren’t even born yet. And you’re only nine now.”

“So. I know the story just the same.”

“Then why are you defending Father?”

“I’m not. I promise I’m not,” sobbed Elyse. “I just don’t want you to leave me.”

Her brother went down to one knee and hugged Elyse. “I don’t want to leave either, but it’s for the best. I know you don’t understand now but one day you will.”

“But what happens if Father gets mad at me too?” asked Elyse, pulling away to look Jonrell in the face.

Her brother smiled. “He won’t.”

Elyse hung her head and sniffled. She felt a hand under her chin pushing her head up. Jonrell reached back and pulled a necklace from his neck and put it around hers. She looked down and admired the jewel. “You’re giving this to me? But you love this necklace.”

Jonrell smiled again and Elyse saw a tear fall from his eye. “It does mean a lot to me, but not as much as you do, little sister. I want you to promise me you’ll never take this off.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. As long as you have this on, you’ll always know that no matter where I am, I’ll be with you and I’ll come back home.” Jonrell turned his head to the side, wiping his cheek.

Elyse reached up and wrapped her arms around Jonrell’s neck and squeezed as tight as she could, hoping that if she squeezed hard enough he wouldn’t leave. “Please,” she whispered.

Jonrell slowly undid her arms and pulled away. “This is something I have to do.” He kissed her on the forehead and turned away. He left her room without sparing a glance back.

The little girl stood there alone, grasping the necklace around her neck, trembling in sorrow.

* * *

Elyse was on her knees, sobbing just as she did as a girl of nine.

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