Page 75 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

“You sure about that, Nana?”

“I don’t know what he told you, Elly—“

“It doesn’t fucking matter what he told me! I’m asking you. Tell me the truth.” My legs are hanging over the edge of the bed, ready to leap to my feet.

“I am telling you the truth. Your gifts are valuable in the search, but I don’t know whether they’re vital.”

Hopping off the bed, I stride to turn the key controlling the lamps, dousing the room in sudden brightness. We both blink in adjustment.

“Did you two know that his brother was obsessed with the gems?” I ask.

“Yes. It is the reason why Alec is king. Locane is the older brother, if only by minutes. It’s the reason they’ve been estrangedfor years before their father died,” Nana explains. Her tone and demeanor drip with guilt.

“And you never thought to tell me!”

“I’m sorry, Elly,” she stands up, walking towards me quickly, her arms outstretched in supplication. “We made grave mistakes, I know that. There is no taking that back.”

“Don’t! Don’t fucking touch me.” I shake my finger at her when she goes to reach for me. “I’ve heard you mention Locane once. When I was five—that’s it.” Nana stands looking at me pleadingly. “And you weren’t even speaking to me. Did you ever mention him to me again? Did Alec?”

“You don’t remember those conversations?” she asks.

“No. I conveniently can’t remember anything about Alec at all, other than the day we met. The same day that you mentioned his brother. His fucking twin! Did I ever know anything about him at all?” I choose not to inform Nana of my memory of the last time I saw Alec.

She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Yes. Alec told you briefly. Not in any great detail, only that he had a twin, and they were estranged.”

“Did you know before Locane took me that he might be interested in me? In my gifts?” I ask quietly. Nana’s face pales, and I don’t need her to answer. “Get out.” My shaking hand points to the door.

“Elly, please.” She walks towards me again.

My feet carry me a step back to hold the distance. “Get the fuck out!” I scream just as the door opens. Alec stands there, his dark eyes moving back and forth between Nana and I, reading the situation.

“I heard yelling,” he states. The sight of Alec—the sound of his deep, soothing voice—sends me an odd mixture of elation, anger, and sadness.

I choose anger.

“You!” I hiss, turning my finger to point at him. Alec’s eyes widen a fraction. I run across the room and push him, both palms pounding against the tight muscles of his chest.

“I was angry with you the last time I saw you. Why?” Even though I already know the answer, I want to hear him say it. Alec opens his mouth to speak but hesitates too long. I push him again. “Tell me!”

He places a gentle hand on my shoulder, moving me just enough to be able to step into the room and close the door. Alec runs his hand through his silky black hair before turning to me.

“You were angry with me because I had told you that it was time to finally bring you home to The Capital. I then came to you, hours later, telling you things had changed, and we had to wait just a little longer.”

“And why had those plans changed?” I grit through my teeth.

“Because your father told me that Locane had come and asked questions about you that I had deemed threatening.”

Alec stands with his feet apart, rubbing his temple gently—so weary and beaten down. Part of me is happy that he’s suffered. The other part wants to go tuck him into my bed, see him rest, and tell him everything is alright.

But everything is not alright.

“You didn’t tell me this, did you?”

“No. I did not,” Alec says, the words laced with regret. “I am sorry, Ellya. We should have told you.”

“But you didn’t. Instead, you left me vulnerable,” I say with disbelief. “Both of you!”

My eyes dart back and forth between Nana and Alec, both looking equally guilty. Alec stands with his arms crossed, face tense, and eyes pleading as he chews his bottom lip nervously. Nana looks faint and pale.