Page 121 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

I press my lips together.

“Truly, my darling,” he takes my hand and squeezes it. “You need not worry.”

“How can I not worry,” I start, looking away, “when no one has fallen ill with this sickness and survived?”

“There are a few who have.” To everyone else, Father sounds sure of himself. Confident, even. But I know him. The slight waver of pitch I hear in his voice tells me that he’s lying.

I say nothing and opt for slightly shaking my head instead.

Determination surges in my gut.

I can save my father.

I can save all the miners. I can stop the draining of the mines.

I can cleanse the kingdom.

Death’s voice fills my mind.

“When the time comes, you must choose. Choose life, without love, in a cursed land. Or choose death in the name of love, and sacred sacrifice.”

And something tells me that I’m the only one who can.

“Cryssa…” Father’s voice trails off. He takes both of my hands and looks me in the eyes. “If I don’t survive this, there is something you should know.”

“Father, whatever it is, it won’t change how I see you,” I say, firm in my resolve. “You’re going to live through this. You don’t have to tell me anything.”

“Please, Cryssa,” my father begs, and I go still. “You must know this, all the same.”

I lean back a little, brows raised.

Father’s gaze flicks down to his hands, and then back up to my eyes. “Your mother and I…” he pauses and takes a breath. “We aren’t your birth parents.”

My brows knit together and my stomach twists into knots.

“What?”

“When you were a baby, your mother worked in the service of Lady Helenia Pelleveron.”

“The younger sister of Lady Maelyrra?”

“Yes.” Father nods. “At the time, Lady Helenia was unwed.”

The sickening sensation in my stomach tells me exactly where this is going.

“Helenia had a lover,” Father continues. “A human. The relationship was short-lived.” Then he looks at me. “You are what came of that relationship.”

I force myself to breathe.

“Maelyrra was furious when she found out.” He says slowly, “She wouldn’t allow Helenia to keep you.”

“Of course not.” Anger bubbles inside me. “You know how the Pelleverons are with humans.”

“I know.” Father’s voice is low. “When that happened, Nira brought you home. And you’ve been with us ever since.”

Silence sits between us.

The truth of what Father tells me sinks into my bones.

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