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Tears threatened to spill, and I blinked rapidly to keep them away. I missed him desperately and I had been worried that hewould still be upset with me. Relief flooded through me, and it was almost too much to bear.
I laughed a sob, “I’m sorry too, Nik. But I’m so happy to see you.”
He brought me into a warm hug and I returned it, wrapping my arms around his muscled torso. I was feeling so much. Too much. The Trial, Njall, becoming Worthy, magic I was unsure about, Kleio’s demand, Nikan’s forgiveness. I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Gripping the back of his shirt tightly, I buried my face in my brother’s shoulder and quietly sobbed. He tensed for a second before realizing what was happening, then relaxed, brushing the back of my head with his hand. He had always been my anchor, the one that would be there to comfort and protect me, to help me pick up the pieces of myself. Though he was only thirteen years older than me, he took it upon himself to care for Malina and I like a parental figure, having lost his own parents as well as his little sister to the Glaev.
He continued his soothing strokes until I fully released my emotions, soaking his beige shirt. I released him and wiped the wetness from my face.
He gave me a soft smile. “It’ll be okay. You’re not alone.” His repeated words from when I would cry as a child warmed my heart and I smiled again.
“I know. Thank you.” I released a shaky breath.
He nodded once. “We should go to Eamon now. He’ll be anxious to hear all about the Trial. Hasn’t stopped talking about it since I got back.” He huffed a laugh at the last part.
I could picture Eamon going on and on about what he thought was happening as he paced back and forth in his study.
“When did you get back?” We walked side-by-side toward the stone staircase.
“The day after you left for the Temple of Odes.” We ascended the stairs to the level that held the High Scholar’s study. “I was in Oryn and planned to meet with Lord Ryker, with the Sage and Scholar that traveled with me, but when we arrived, we were told that he had departed for the Trial initiation. I knew that meant you would be leaving soon as well…” He paused for a moment. “I was so angry with you before that moment, but once I realized you’d be going to the Trial before I could see you, I regretted our last conversation and wished I could have taken it back.”
I looked to the floor and muttered, “I shouldn’t have said that to you. You were right to call me out. I know you were just trying to look out for me.”
Nikan and I had argued before he left on a mission, about me always going off on jobs alone and being reckless with my actions, taking justice into my own hands. He was right of course, I cared little for my safety then. Not when I had thought I might die during the Trial anyway, and I wanted to rid the world of at least some of its filth before I did.
Nikan had told me I was too brash and reckless, and I told him that he was too controlling, too uptight, and that he would never have the right to tell me what to do—but I did it in a degrading way. I was in the wrong with how I approached it and I knew it. I overreacted and regretted it the moment the words came out, but I was also too stubborn to admit that at the time. I knew that he wasn’t being controlling, just protective, as always. It was something that he had never seen as an issue when it came to me and Malina. He had taken it upon himself to be responsible for us but he often took it too far. But other times, he was right. We were the only ones he had left, and he wanted to protect us—even if it was from ourselves.
“I got your letter. We were both on edge and were too harsh in the moment. You obviously don’t need me to look out foryou. You are more than capable of taking care of yourself.” He jutted his chin out, gesturing to my Worthy mark.
“I didn’t do it alone.” My lips thinned into a sad smile.
My voice was solemn, thinking of Njall. Nikan nodded but he didn’t say any more on the subject as we slipped through the open door to the study and were ushered to the sitting area where Eamon waited.
Nikan and I sat across from the High Scholar. I relaxed into the tufted chair and relished in the familiar smell of the study and the sounds of rustling paper of books from the Scholars working in the library. Eamon waved the waiting field chiefs, head Scholars of their sections, into the room. They each sat at the large table on the other side of the room and laid out parchment and paper. They knew not to speak or ask questions, as not to influence my recollection, and to only take notes as I disclosed the events of the Trial. I didn’t know how to feel about now being a part of the history that I had read so much about. But I knew that this was important and I would do it no matter what, for them.
Eamon leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees with a soft smile. “So, tell us. How did Kya, the daughter of no Nation, becomeWorthyof the Gods?”
Chapter Twenty
Kya
Eamon, Nikan, and the Scholars quietly listened as I told them of everything that had taken place during the Trial. I started from when I arrived at the Temple grounds, describing all who were in attendance as best as I could. I summarized the first task, the Test of Loyalty, detailing notable contestants and what I saw, heard, and felt inside the Rip as well as the riddle and how I had written it on my arm in my blood—though now permanently committed to my memory.
A few of the Scholars gasped as I told of the brutal attack from the males when I first arrived. I told them of working with Njall—skipping over the moments of sharing a branch together. Once I had told them of the river creature that attacked me, they informed me that it was a newly discovered beast and as its unfortunate discoverer, I was allowed to name it—Nagasai. A few of them tensed when I relayed the attack of the Lurvinea, the thorned vines, and how it dragged Njall into suffocating mists. I told them of the male that was used as bait by the failed female and assumed dead male.
Dinner had been served in the study and I continued while we ate—I nearly inhaled it, completely famished. Eamon’s eyes reflected pride when I briefed them on how we solved the riddleand found the map glowing within the side of the mountain. I went into as much detail on the map as I remembered, drawing it as best as I could. The Scholars and Eamon copied it down once I was finished. I blinked back tears as I told of the male attacking Njall and I. And when I was taken by Kleio just as I had leapt in front of the arrow, and the voice that spoke.
Confused looks passed around the room, but still no one uttered a single word while I finished telling them of Hylithria, Kleio’s task, the Test of Fate at the Galadynia mirror, and Odarum, my Spirit animal. I kept the bond to myself, knowing it was to be unknown to those that were not Worthy. Though I wanted to tell them, it didn’t feel right. I finished off describing the challenges and the new Worthy that were announced.
I let out a sigh of relief when Eamon dismissed the Scholars and we were alone with Nikan. I slouched in my seat, my arms hanging over the side, and I looked up to the ceiling.
“I don’t think I’ve ever spoken that much at one time. My face hurts.” I stretched out my jaw.
“I don’t think you’ve spoken that much, period,” Nikan huffed, his arms were crossed over his chest, leaning against the back of the chair.
I glanced at Eamon, whose face was pinched in thought and staring in the distance.
“Eamon? Are you alright?” It was unlike him not to join in our banter.
