“Why are Nate’s eyes still blue?” I asked.

Queen Olesya guided me to a small room, and to my disgust, Rayon joined us.

“Do not fear,” she said. “The Phalean poison is strong. It will take a little while for the effects to completely disappear.”

I wasn’t convinced. I wouldn’t be happy until Nate looked exactly like his old self. A long table filled the room, and as if they thought this was a pleasant welcoming get-together, two pots with cups were laid out upon its surface along with a bowl of fruit. Queen Olesya settled on a chair at the top of the table and pointed.

“Sit,” she said.

Taking a big breath, I ran my hands over my face determined to wipe away the last of the tears that had fallen. I approached the table and sat two chairs down from her not wanting to be too close. There was no true hospitality in her actions. Who knew if she would suddenly try something on me? Rayon remained standing, close to where the Queen sat.

I was parched. Not waiting for an invitation, I leaned over the table and touched both jugs with my hands. I found that one was indeed cold. I picked it up and poured it quickly, keeping my peripheral vision on high alert to ensure neither of them tried anything untoward. I brought the water to my lips and gulped it down, relishing in the way its coolness could be felt as it touched the inside of my body.

“What do you need me to do?” I asked, holding the cup with both hands to try and prevent her from seeing how they shook.

Queen Olesya nodded to Rayon and he instantly moved to her side. He reached for a large pot and started to pour what looked like hot tea. Its colour was green and steam billowed as it was poured.

“Did Maxim and Yalek tell you about the medallions?”

I closed my lips and tried to keep my expression unchanged.

“Rayon and I can’t read the writing that is on the inside of your vambrace even with all of our advanced equipment.” She leaned forward, placing her elbows onto the table as Rayon set the pot down. “So, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to go back to Maxim and Yalek and join them on their little treasure hunt so you can steal the medallion and bring it back to me. Once you hand over the medallion, I will give you the remaining antidote for your brother.”

My fingers fumbled and my cup made a loud thud as it hit the table. “Why would I do that? Aren’t the medallions meant to mean you control those who wear the vambrace?” I shook my head. It was a stupid legend that Maxim had told me. It couldn’t be true!

Queen Olesya smiled wickedly. “So, you do know.” Slowly, she pulled at a silver chain that was hidden amongst her clothing. Wrapping her hand around something just inside her dress, she pulled her hand out and held a round piece of silver for me to see. It was a circle with four compartments. In one, a green stone glittered in the light. I swallowed.

Yalek.

Did she control Yalek?

My mind raced.

As if she was reading my mind, she said, “Do not fear. Yalek is not mine, although he once was.” She gave me a wink that made my stomach churn. “But he does not have his dagger, so it is not the set. Unfortunately, we do not know where it is. But that day will come. Did Prince Maxim read the writing?” She nodded towards my vambrace.

I looked away. With each and every minute that passed, the more and more I longed that I had listened to Maxim and Yalek.

“So, he did,” Queen Olesya said, quirking her top lip again. “And did he tell you what it said?”

Relief flooded through me. “No. He didn’t because he knew I was going to be seeing you.”

“Smart man. Well, on occasions.” She took a sip of her hot tea and then stared at me over its rim, her eyes cold and calculating. “Do we have a deal? The medallion for another phial of antidote.”

I reached for my cup and even though I was filled with utter contempt for this woman and wanted to throw up, I downed the rest of its contents.

This was an outrageous request. She wanted me to deceive Maxim and Yalek? The pair had only been kind to me and they had warned me of this woman. They hadn’t forced me to do anything and they had given me a choice, where Queen Olesya was being cunning and manipulative. It was also a risk. If I betrayed them, I could lose the only real help I had in this world. I took another big gulp of water. My head was starting to pound. I didn’t know if it was because I needed to hydrate or if it was because I was becoming too stressed

“Hm?” she prodded again.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

And then I remembered what Maxim had told me. “But then, when I bring the medallion back, you will control me?” I glanced back and forth between Rayon and Queen Olesya to see whether they would also confirm this.

“Maybe, but you’re the one who has to decide. You or your brother, what is more important? And anyway, would it be so bad to work for me? You will have comfort and luxury.”

I looked away and blocked out her words. She had me cornered. How could I say no?

“I want to see my brother,” I said. “I want to make sure he’s still alive.”

Queen Olesya frowned and sighed. “We don’t have time. You can see I have been truthful with Nate. How long has it been since Maxim or Yalek read the inside of the vambrace? They could already be on the journey to find it and you, my dear, are nowhere near them.”

Panic surged through me and my throat ached. She had a point. How on Earth… How on Alandra would I be able to get the medallion if I had no idea where they were going?

“Okay, okay,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll do it. I’ll go to them and somehow steal the medallion off them.” I looked down at the table. There was no way I was going to look at the triumph on her face. I could already hear it as she gave a short, delighted giggle.

“Wonderful!” she said.

There was a pause.

“Well,” Queen Olesya said. “Don’t waste any more time.”

“And don’t think about telling them,” Rayon said, placing both of his hands onto the table. “They might have appeared friendly enough when they saved you from the Phalean, but they can also be cunning and deceptive. You’ve seen Yalek, he’s half Phalean. He will slit a man’s throat without a second thought. What do you think they’ll do to you if they find out you intend to steal from them?”

I leaned back in my chair and swallowed. My mouth dry, again. A nod was all I could manage.

“I want to say goodbye to Arina and Nate before I go.”

“Of course,” Queen Olesya said without sounding sincere at all. “We’ll also have to put in a new 4ST chip, won’t we? We wouldn’t want to go losing track of you again.”

----------------------------------------

“She wants you to do what?!” Arina cried.

I had found Nate and Arina in the same mess hall that I had sat in with Arina and Rayon on the first day. Unlike then, it was quiet with only a few people on the other side of the room. We had strategically found a place to sit in the far corner so we could watch anyone who tried to approach and I had explained what Queen Olesya had asked me to do.

“She is ruthless!” Arina continued.

Wearily, I nodded and rubbed my aching ear with its third 4ST chip. Nate sat beside me, wolfing down his food like he hadn’t eaten in days. In actual fact, he hadn’t. His cheeks were puffed out as his head bent over his tray. I twisted on the seat so I had one leg on either side of the bench and I was facing him.

“How do you feel?” I asked.

He spun his head so fast towards me, I startled. I made eye contact with Arina and she nodded, acknowledging the out of character movement as well. With one large gulp, Nate swallowed his mouthful.

“Okay,” he said. He tilted his head to the side as if he was reconsidering and then said, “But I feel weird, like I keep getting waves of something running through my body.”

“Hopefully, it’s just the last effects of the poison.” I reached out and placed my hand on his forearm. He eyed my movement so closely I wasn’t sure if he was offended or startled. “I’m really glad you’re back with us.” He met my gaze and I stared into his eyes that used to be hazel and were now a strange tinge of blue. I held my breath, his stare so intense. There was something else swarming in the depths of those eyes. And then, he blinked. The same large goofy grin that I loved came across his features and whatever I had seen, had disappeared.

I met Arina’s gaze and I saw her swallow. She had seen it too.

“Do you remember what happened to you?” I asked.

Nate’s fork stopped half way to his mouth and he tilted his head to the side again. “No, not really. I was on the horse and we were going down the hill. And then the shaking happened and then…” He swallowed and shook his head. “There was something there in the trees.”

I nodded. “The Phalean.”

Nate shook his head. “No. It was a woman.”

Arina and I both leaned forward.

“What?” Arina asked.

“She had black hair and a white gown.” Nate shrugged and put the fork in his mouth.

Arina and I locked eyes. Fury was running through my veins. Queen Olesya had been there as well? Had she given the poison to Nate while the Phalean was after us?

“What even happened to our horses?” I said, shaking my head. It had been playing in the back of my mind for a while. I had no doubt they would have enough grass and water to feed on in the scrubland, but that still meant they would be wandering around with their saddles and bridles on.

“All four are here,” Arina said.

“Really? Are they okay?” I asked.

Arina nodded. “Yes, they’re being looked after.”

My gaze swept over the mess hall to ensure no one was paying us any attention. Satisfied, I leaned towards Arina and said in a low voice, “While I’m gone, I want you to find out whatever you can about this antidote. It’s aftereffects and how long it takes for the poison to wear off completely.” I leaned in even closer. “See if you can find out where they get it from. Prince Maxim told me that each Phalean clan has their own kind of poison and antidote. We need to see if we can get our hands on some for Shane.”

Arina sat up straight. “Good. It’ll give me something to do, make me feel like I’m helping in some way. I’ll also see if I can find out anything on where the gate back to Earth is supposed to be.”

I nodded in agreement. “That’s a good idea. Also see if you can determine how they are keeping it open. If they’re using technology, we need to stop it somehow. We don’t want them following us through the gate to Earth if we ever get a chance to go through it.” I glanced over to Nate. “And keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t get into any more trouble.”

Nate’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”

Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his shoulders and squeezed. He froze under me, but then his free hand came up and stroked my arm.

“Make sure you’re not gone for too long,” he said, placing a kiss on top of my head. It was an unexpected gesture and I pulled back to look him in the eyes again, our faces only inches apart.

Arina coughed and I startled backwards.

“Rayon’s coming,” she said.

My shoulders dropped as Rayon’s large body loomed over us.

“It’s time. You need to go back to Prince Maxim before he leaves with Yalek. I’ll be accompanying you to the gates of the palace. You’re still wanted by the Phalean.”

“And I can trust you? I know what happened last time.”

Rayon pointed to the door, ignoring my comment. “Let’s go.”