The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - By N. K. Jemisin Page 0,72

and down with an expression that would have made my grandmother proud.

Youre letting them win, arent you? he asked.

I think my mouth might have dropped open. He sighed. Sit down.

I closed my mouth. How do you

I know nearly everything that happens in this place, Yeine. The upcoming ball, for example, and what will happen afterward. Halfbloods usually arent told, but I have connections. He gently took me by the shoulders. Youve found out, too, I suspect, which is why youre sitting here going to rot.

On another occasion I would have been pleased that hed finally called me by my name. Now I shook my head dumbly and rubbed my temples where a weary ache had settled. Tvril, you dont

Sit down, you silly fool, before you pass out and I have to call Viraine. Which, incidentally, you dont want me to do. His remedies are effective but highly unpleasant. He took my hand and guided me over to my table.

I came because they told me you hadnt ordered breakfast or a midday meal, and I thought you might be starving yourself again. Sitting me and the tray down, he picked up a dish of some sort of sectioned fruit, speared a piece on a fork, and thrust this at my face until I ate it. You seemed a sensible girl when you first came here. Gods know this place has a way of knocking the sense out of a person, but I never expected you to yield so easily. Arent you a warrior, or something like that? The rumors have you swinging through trees half-naked with a spear.

I glared at him, affront cutting through my muddle. Thats the stupidest thing youve ever said to me.

So youre not dead yet. Good. He took my chin between his fingers, peering into my eyes. And they havent defeated you yet. Do you understand?

I jerked away from him, clinging to my anger. It was better than despair, if just as useless. You dont know what youre talking about. My people I came here to help them, and instead theyre in more danger because of me.

Yes, so Ive heard. You do realize that both Relad and Scimina are consummate liars, dont you? Nothing youve done caused this. Sciminas plans were set in motion long before you ever arrived in Sky. Thats how this family does things. He held a hunk of cheese to my mouth. I had to bite off a piece, chew it, and swallow just to get his hand out of the way.

If thats He pushed more fruit at me; I batted the fork aside and the fruit flew off somewhere near my bookcases. If thats true, then you know theres nothing I can do! Darrs enemies are preparing to attack. My land is weak; we cant fight off one army, let alone however many are gathering against us!

He nodded, sober, and held up a new chunk of fruit for me. That sounds like Relad. Scimina is usually more subtle. But it could be either of them, frankly. Dekarta hasnt given them much time to work, and they both get clumsy under pressure.

The fruit tasted like salt in my mouth. Then tell me I blinked back tears. What am I supposed to do, Tvril? You say Im letting them win, but what else can I do?

Tvril set down the dish and took my hands, leaning forward. I realized suddenly that his eyes were green, though a deeper shade than my own. I had never before considered the fact that we were relatives. So few of the Arameri felt human to me, much less like family.

You fight, he said, his voice low and intent. His hands gripped my own fiercely enough to hurt. You fight in whatever way you can.

It might have been the strength of his grip, or the urgency of his voice, but abruptly I realized something. You want to be heir yourself, dont you?

He blinked in surprise, and then a rueful smile crossed his face. No, he said. Not really. No one would want to be heir under these conditions; I dont envy you that. But He looked away, toward the windows, and I saw it in his eyes: a terrible frustration that must have been burning in him all his life. The unspoken knowledge that he was just as smart as Relad or Scimina, just as strong, just as deserving of power, just as capable of leadership.

And if the chance were ever given to him, he would fight to keep it.