Chapter Thirty-Six

Belema

 

“Neith, I’m sorry I hurt you, but please believe me when I say there is nothing romantic going on between Invier and me.”

 

She spins toward me, sending me a horrified look as she studies me for a moment and then puts her gun back in its holster. “Then why is he here?” she snarls.

 

I take a deep breath, frightened to speak the truth, but if I don’t do so now, I never will and I can’t live with that.

 

“He’s here because I advised Karax to bring him here.”

 

Neith looks from Invier to me and back to Invier. Her lips pull back from her teeth. In all my years of knowing her, I’ve never seen her so angry and my heart skips a beat in fright.

 

“You had Karax kidnap Invier?”

 

That might not be a precise description of what happened but I can see how she’d think of it that way.

 

I hang my head. “I told Karax to bring Invier here and convince him to support Minim.”

 

“Why?”

 

My mouth opens but the truth struggles to come out and I lick my lips in trepidation. She just might bring her gun out again and shoot me when she hears my reply.

 

“I said, why?” she demands.

 

I shudder and say, “So I could keep you guys apart.”

 

She squeezes her eyes and rubs her left temple. “And why would you do that?”

 

“You had pissed me off and I thought I’d keep him where you wouldn’t find him. I also thought him working with the rebels would hurt you and possibly stun the nomes into listening to Lesser Lander’s complaints.” Having rattled on for so long, I drag in a shaky breath.

 

She laughs. At first, it’s nothing more than a short chuckle and my worry dims slightly. The longer it continues, the easier it is to realize the sound isn’t joyful and a nervous flutter fills my chest.

 

Sweat crawls down my back as her laughing dials down and she scoffs. I’m not sure if it’s in disbelief or dismissal. Her eyes narrow as she angles her head toward Invier. “And you stayed? You thought it better to stay with these … animals, her included, than to reach out to me?”

 

I don’t react to the insult. After what I’ve put her through, I need to allow her to let off steam. Even if it’s at my expense.

 

“Neith,” he breathes her name. “I thought Adela and your father wanted me dead. I didn’t even know if you wanted me. You did send me away with no explanation,” he says, spreading his hands to try to get her to see things from his perspective. “You killed Adela?”

 

She flicks her wrist, waving his explanation away. Looking back at me with a scowl, she asks, “Was this before or after I told you Father was okay with Invier and I being together?”

 

It takes several seconds for me to murmur, “I didn’t try to bring him back to you even after you told me and for that, I’m sorry. I drop my head in shame and continue to look at the grass beneath my feet. It has taken on a silver sheen from the large moon above. While pretty to look at, it does nothing to comfort the feelings of regret filling my heart. “I could have told you where to find Karax after learning of Uncle Nabo’s decision.”

 

Her expression shifts, becoming rueful. “Perhaps I should actually tell you thanks for keeping him away,” she says and looks at me. “Father had … interesting plans for him.” She paces, head swiveling in thought. “But, you helped them ambush my father, Bel.” She looks up at the sky, arms falling dejectedly by her sides. “How can I forgive that?”

 

This is exactly what I was worried about. All I can do is fidget in place as my fingers tangle into each other.

 

When she stops moving, I say, “Please, find it in your heart to forgive me.” I sneak a glance at Neith who scowls at me in disdain.

 

“You loved these rebels so much to do this to me?”

 

“No, I love you Neith.” I clasp my hands together in supplication. “This started with me wanting to do something good for the Lesser Landers but then I got angry with you, Uncle Nabo … with everyone. I’m sorry.”

 

“You were disloyal to me because you loved those people more than you loved me. That’s what you’re telling me?”

 

“I’m not saying that. I just think there needs to be some change.” I walk up to her and take her hand. “They are human beings just like you and I. They should have the right to live with dignity.”

 

“And they don’t have that now?” Neith throws her hands up in exasperation. She looks to Invier. “Please don’t tell me they’ve brainwashed you too.”

 

Invier clears his throat. “Have you ever taken a moment to consider why there’s a rebellion?” Neith scoffs loudly before he continues. “You couldn’t imagine what some of these people have been through. Children sold to Nome Cyra so parents can put food on the table—”

 

“Just don’t have so many children then!” Neith yells.

 

“You don’t get it—”

 

“Because there’s nothing to get!” Anger contorts her face and she bares her teeth at me. I’m taken aback by how furious she looks.

 

As if realizing how terrible she looks, she whips her back to us. She stays that way for several moments and I watch as her shoulders rise and fall with each breath she sucks in.

 

When she’s facing us again, she looks much calmer. “So, what you’re telling me is you cared enough for these people you told them our plans to attack Nome Cyra at Keshim?”

 

I walk up to her and take her hands. Moisture cloud my eyes and I struggle to see. “I shouldn’t have done it.” I choke and fall silent.

 

“Karax told her he wanted to capture your father. We only found out what a liar he was two days ago when he admitted he’d always planned to kill your father.” Invier speaks on my behalf, his voice calm and steady.

 

“Because you trusted them instead of your own.” Neith yanks her hands out of mine and points her gun at my head. I didn’t notice her bring it out of its holster. “I should kill you on the spot for your betrayal.”

 

The sight of all that black metal makes my heart somersault.

 

Would she?

 

My knees wobble. “Neith. Please … please … don’t do this. I … beg—”

 

“The only person who’s getting killed today is you, Scioness.”