“So there’s little land?”
“About seventy percent of Earth is covered in water. Over eighty-five percent of Nefyria is. But given our size, we still have double the land mass.”
“Oh,”Kenji said. “It’s hard to imagine something of that scale.” He smiled at Qylar. “Maybe one day you can show me like you did Earth.”
Qylar’s face tightened, his brows furrowing.
“You don’t want to show me?” Kenji asked. “I thought you wanted to give me the universe?”
“I haven’t been back there in years—and have no desire to return anytime soon.” His jaw tightened again. “Although, if all you want is to gaze upon the planet, I’m sure I can make that happen.”
Kenji searched his face. “So… if this test proves I’m Nefyrian, you wouldn’t take me to visit my father’s planet?”
Qylar dragged his gaze away for a moment before turning back to Kenji with pain in his eyes. “When you put it like that, how can I say no?”
“If it’sthatpainful for you, I won’t ask.”
“If you go with me, it might color your experience there—and I wouldn’t want that to happen. I’m unwelcome on Nefyria, and if you were at my side, my reputation might spill over onto you.”Qylar drew in a shaky breath. “I’m sure I can convince Cryss and Alex to take you, if you really wish to see it.”
“I don’t know if I’d want to without you.”
Qylar met his gaze, eyes shining. “Kenji… my family… they didunspeakablethings. They…” He paused, closing his eyes as tremor ran through him.
“Youdon’thave to tell me what they did.”
Qylar’s eyes opened, his brows furrowing.
“You said you were young. Were you involved in their crimes?”
“No.”
“Then you’re not accountable for what they did.”
“I lived amid the wealth those crimes produced. I grew up in a castle, with fine clothes, extravagant food, and an expensive education. I was given everything I ever asked for—while thousands bore the weight of our excesses on their backs. Families were ripped apart at my parents’ order. No, I didn’t know my family were monsters, but I benefited from their acts all the same.”
“You can’t be held responsible for that. You didn’t choose who gave birth to you.”
“But the people of my world won’t allow me to forget it, nonetheless. They all believed me to be corrupted beyond repair and unacceptable in polite society.”
“No one’s allowed redemption on Nefyria?”
“They are, but for some reason, I’m not,” Qylar said.
“Good thing you’re here and not there, then,” Kenji said.
Qylar offered a weak smile. “While Earth is far from perfect, at least they don’t know my sins here.”
“Notyoursins. Those belong solely to your parents.” Kenji sighed. “If they can’t forgive a little boy for being born to the wrong parents, then I don’t think I want to go there. Fuck ‘em.”
Qylar chuckled. “You should see it at least once. If, of course, you’re Nefyrian.” He reached over to a small gadget that looked kind of like a tablet and eyed the screen. “Which youare.”
His gaze met Qylar’s.“I am?”
“You are.” Qylar frowned, his gaze moving back and forth over the screen. “You’re thirty-three percent Nefyrian.”
“Thirty-three? How didthathappen?” If a parent passed on half of their DNA, then it would be fifty percent. Then if his father was half, he assumed he’d be a quarter.
“DNA doesn’t always do what most assume. A human childcanget more than half their DNA from one parent. Nefyrian DNA may be dominant, as well. Plus, there’s always a chance your mother had a hint of Nefyrian DNA from a distant relative that added to what your father gave you. Our people have been coming here for eons, and weclearlydon’t follow our rules of engagement, so there could be generations of humans with our blood in their veins with no idea.”
