Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) by Jaye L. Knight

of the time. Unlike her mentor, who displayed only strength and trust.
    The talcrin gave her a gentle smile. “You will. Keep following the King and it will grow.” He held her gaze, his eyes searching her own. “Now, what else is bothering you?”
    Kyrin lifted her brows. “I hope I’m not that apparent to everyone else.”
    Sam’s smile widened. “I just know that look in your eyes.”
    “It’s all this talk about the promotion ceremony…” She cringed before admitting, “I’m scared, Sam. Kaden and I could be promoted in only two years. I don’t want him taken away from me too. He’s the only family I’ve had all this time.”
    “I know it’s a difficult thing to consider, but remember, you don’t know what will happen tomorrow, let alone two years from now. Elôm is always at work. You don’t know His plans for you.”
    Kyrin ducked her head sheepishly. Even now, she struggled to let her faith work. “You’re right. It’s just been on my mind more than usual with the ceremony so close. I—”
    The squeak of hinges cut her off. She and Sam looked toward the entrance. A moment later, Kaden came walking out from under the archway. He gave Kyrin a half smile.
    “I had a feeling you were here.”
    He walked up to the couch, and Kyrin scooted over to give him room as he dropped down beside her.
    After nodding at Sam, he asked, “What’re you two talking about?”
    “I told him about Master Zocar, and we were just talking about the ceremony,” Kyrin answered.
    The deep frown that crossed her brother’s face matched her feelings on the topic. “I’ll be glad when it’s all over for another year.”
    Kyrin agreed and picked at one of the seams on her jerkin. “I just wish we were born to a normal, poor family with no reputation and no special talents. Then we wouldn’t be here.”
    Sam’s voice drew her eyes up. “Don’t forget, Kyrin, or you, Kaden, that King Elôm created you two exactly the way you are. Every detail about you, He designed. He gave you your talents for a reason. It may take you a lifetime to discover why, but there is a purpose.”
    Right there, Kyrin prayed for Elôm to show her that purpose. “I know. But it’s hard sometimes. I feel so useless here. I want to serve Him, but how can we when we have to hide our faith?”
    “By doing exactly what you know He desires of you. You may have to hide what you believe, but you can still serve Him, even here, with the way you respond to your situations and live your everyday lives. It may not seem important to you, but it is to Elôm. In all you do, even attending to your studies and doing your chores, you’re to do it for Him. That service is pleasing to Him. You may not like it, but unless they lead you to do something you know is wrong, He even desires for you to serve and follow the authority of the instructors here at Tarvin Hall as well as the emperor.”
    Kyrin side-glanced at Kaden. He stared at his lap, but she still caught the guilty expression. He would not speak, but Kyrin nodded at Sam.
    “Again, you’re right. Thank you. It might not be exactly what we wanted to hear, but it’s what we needed to hear.”
    Sam’s smile returned. “Take heart, Kyrin. Your faith has already grown since you first believed.”
    Comforted, Kyrin smiled too.
    “Now,” Sam said, his voice rising a little, “it seems you two could use some good news.”
    Kaden’s head snapped up.
    Breaking into a wide grin, Sam told them, “I received word today that your father is in the city.”
    Kyrin sat up straighter. “He is?” Her heart fluttered, and her thoughts raced ahead. This opportunity wouldn’t slip past them.
    “He arrived this morning.”
    “How long will he be here?” Kaden asked.
    “For a few days. He’s staying up at the fort and meeting with some of the other captains.”
    Kyrin’s pulse now pounded a fast rhythm. “Do you think we can see him?”
    “I’ll see what I can do,” Sam promised.
    Kyrin grinned at her