“I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not like Uwen is known for their astounding magical masters. I’m sure if we searched for someone who knew more than Master Garren, we would be able to find a more tangible solution. A better way.”
Eris’ anger rose, and with it her magic. She took a breath before she said, “Master Garren is a perfectly capable magic teacher, and you know it. He suggested this was the place to start, and he’s never been wrong before.” She knew she shouldn’t be mad at Darren. He was trying to keep her safe, but his indecisiveness was annoying her.
“If the map was here all along, then why didn’t he tell me about it when I went to him five years ago? Don’t you think that’s strange?”
She couldn’t deny that he had a valid point, but she also couldn’t tell him about the prophecy because then he would stop at nothing to drag her out of there. She would have to lie to him again. How many more lies would she have to tell before she found Soraya?
“Well?” he asked.
“He just learned about the map.”
But the look on Darren’s face told her he didn’t believe her. “Then why did he tell you? We’ve been searching for Rose for five years. Doesn’t it seem odd that he would tell you first? What aren’t you telling me?” Darren asked in a raised voice.
“It doesn’t matter.” Not her best argument, but nothing else was coming to mind.
“Yes, it does.”
“We just have to find the map.”
“But what will you have to give up to find the map, Eris? Can you use it if you’re dead?”
Chapter 19
Knox
“Do you feel that, Prince?” Nolan asked.
“Feel what?” Knox asked.
“The curse breaker just arrived. She’s outside the castle now.” Nolan smiled in a way that made him look more like a predator than the swindler Knox had originally assumed him to be.
“What?”
“If you will vow to give me the amulet, I will help you convince her to break your curse. Time is short, after all, so I suggest you choose wisely.”
Knox’s thoughts raced through his head. How did Nolan know she was there? Trusting him was a terrible idea, but if his curse came from the Underworld, was there anyone else in Erila that could help him break it? Why did Nolan want his amulet so badly? What would happen if he got it? Knox didn’t know which problem to think through first. All he wanted to do in that moment was to see the curse breaker for himself.
Toran entered, and glanced from Nolan to Knox. “Sire, Eris of Uwen is here. Is there anything that you require?”
“No. Please show her to the throne room. I will be there momentarily.”
Toran nodded and left.
Nolan sneered at him. “Well? What’s it to be, Princeling? Will you try to break the curse yourself, or would you like a hand? You two won’t be able to figure it out without me.”
“How could I possibly trust you?” Knox asked again.
Nolan laughed. “Trust me? I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Then why would I agree to work with you? Any information you provide could just be a waste of time, which as you know I have little of.”
“I solemnly swear I will help you break your curse, if you vow to hand over the amulet as payment for that aid,” Nolan said, all amusement gone from his eyes. “You will need my help to defeat the Queen.”
“Is there another in Erila who knows the same information as you about this curse?” Knox asked.
Nolan looked surprised by the question, but nodded. “The Sligo are well versed in our ways.”
Knox grimaced. The Sligo were a race of monstrous trolls that lived in the Vord Mountains. His grandfather had been the last to see one in person, as the human representative at the treaty signing almost seventy years ago. There was no way they would help a human. They hated humans. Especially royal ones, as it was his family who had banished them to the Vord Mountains in the first place. If their hatred of humans wasn’t enough, they grew the most dangerous poisons in the realm. Going to them was nothing short of suicide.
“All you require is the amulet?” Knox asked.
“Only the amulet.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the only way to stop my mother.”
Knox looked Nolan in the eye. Those dark eyes held no hint of mischief. Knox knew he couldn’t trust Nolan completely, but if what Nolan said was even partially true, then he was closer to breaking the curse than he had ever been before.
“Stop her from doing what?” Knox asked.
“Killing us all,” Nolan said.
Knox made his way towards the throne room. Nervousness swirled in his stomach. After years of searching, he was finally going to meet the girl who could break his curse. Would she think it was weird to be summoned to the palace? Probably. Would she help him break his curse? Or would she refuse? He sent a silent prayer for good luck to the gods.
He pulled on the door handle, cracking the door a couple of inches, and peered through. Eris stood with her back to him, arms crossed. The man beside her ran his hands through his hair. Knox couldn’t recall his name, though he remembered his face. He would have to ask Toran later. For now, he could only see her. Nothing else mattered.
“Well?” the man asked. “Can you use the map if you’re dead?”
The man looked at Eris, hand raised as if proving a point. But Eris didn’t look convinced. She looked frustrated. She turned, rolling her eyes, then she noticed Knox and bowed.
The man whirled around, also bowing. “Prince Knox, I have delivered Eris.”
Knox cleared his throat, opening the door fully and entering the throne room. Eris nervously glanced from Knox to her feet, causing her blonde hair to cascade across her face. He smiled to himself. He closed the distance between them and stood before her, then nodded. “Hello, Eris. I’m Prince Knox. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Hello.” Her voice wobbled. “We were just having a discussion.”
“Oh?”
The man cleared his throat. “Is it true you have a magical map that can show the location of any person, living or dead, sire?”
“Darren,” Eris said, clearly annoyed.
Knox smiled. “That is a question better suited for Master Toran. Can I ask what use you have for such an item?”
“My sister went missing, and it’s the only thing that can help me find her,” Eris said.
Knox’s smile evaporated. He felt like he had been punched in the stomach. “I see. I will do everything in my power to help you find her.” And he meant every word.
Chapter 20
The Queen
The Queen was in her study looking over battle configurations when an earthquake shook the castle. Immediately her chambers were full of soldiers urging her to rush to safety. She rolled her eyes. Like a mere cave-in could kill her. She wasn’t human, after all. She never had been. There was only one thing that could extinguish her existence, and currently her oldest son was trying to get his hands on it. That little brat.
The Queen waved them off and walked from her chambers. She needed to get to the terrace and check the heavens’ alignment. Servants immediately hugged the wall as she strode down the corridor and onto the terrace into the crisp night air.