Page 92 of Storm and Sea

“Please. Don’t tell anyone,” he breathed.

And he was gone, ducking into an alley, leaving Nyel cold, concerned, and confused.

“What do you mean you’re staying?”

Nephi glared at his naive half-brother. It was the first hot morning of the summer, and the parka was sweltering. He wanted to tear it off, but his swollen scars kept it firmly in place.

“I mean exactly what I said; I’m staying,” Nyel said with conviction.

“With him? Didn’t you see what he is?” Nephi shouted, jerking his head to Atreus standing close by.

Nyel chewed his bottom lip.

“I did. And it doesn’t matter, Nephi. I don’t care that Atreus is a… a halfling,” Nyel said, his voice hesitant. “I know what kind of person he is. That’s enough.”

Heat rose high in Nephi’s head, and his stomach filled with acid. He went for a laugh, but it came out as a growl. “So glad a stranger is what convinced you halflings are more than mindless beasts.”

Nyel had the sense to look ashamed.

“I was wrong, Nephi. I was completely wrong about halflings, especially about you. You’ve been hanging around the island to keep an eye on me, and all I’ve done is complain. I’m sorry.”

Nephi didn’t mention that the prospect of running into Ludo—Leo tied him to this town more than his brother.

“What now? Halflings aren’t monsters? Just like that?” he accused, snapping his fingers.

Nephi noticed Atreus flinch at the word monster. The other male was silent for most of the conversation, but Nephi was acutely aware of the way he hovered behind Nyel like a bodyguard.

Protecting him from his own brother. How ridiculous.

“I actually met Atreus!” Nyel shouted, his voice pleading. “I got to know him before I learned what he was. There is no difference between non-mixed and mixed blood. And with you, I…”

Nyel’s gaze paused on the right side of his face. It was a fleeting look but enough for Nephi to catch, even with one working eye.

“All you see is this,” he said, pointing to the mutilation.

“That’s not what I said.”

“You didn’t need to.”

“I didn’t—don’t know who you are, Nephi. Growing up, you were always gone. And every time you came back, you were more and more—” He took a deep breath. “You scared me.”

“That, coupled with mother dearest’s attitude telling you I was the monster hiding under your bed? The one she said would come get you if you didn’t eat all your sea prunes?”

Nyel grimaced. “Don’t pin this all on her—or me, for that matter. You didn’t try Nephi—not until now, and I still don’t understand why you even bother.”

“I don’t like to leave things unfinished.”

“So you’ve said. But I’ve made my choice. I’m staying.”

“What do I tell mommy-dear?”

“I’ll talk to them. About my choice and about you.”

At this, Nephi stiffened. “What about me?”

“That they are wrong. All of Corallina is wrong. I was wrong. You aren’t what we made you out to be.”

Nephi shifted, uncomfortable, wishing Nyel would say something he could be angry about. “And what if that’s not good enough? What if they still demand you come home?”