Page 58 of Joy Guardian

“They say he fell in love with one of his Joy Vessels and rushed all the way from Teneris like a man possessed when he discovered her gone. Unfortunately, not all humans left through the portal. Some ended up being captured by the desert dwellers. The queen’s guards hunted down one or two and returned them to thesaraiin Kalmena. But Prince Rha will probably no longer be allowed to have any Joy Vessels. I’ve heard the queen was displeased with her son more than usual, for allowing his Joy Vessels to escape. She ordered him to be brought to her palace for punishment. Not sure if she’ll go as far as executing her only son and heir. But Princess Alzali has enjoyed the queen’s favor for decades. It’s not like the kingdom will be left without a monarch, even if the prince dies.”

“Where did you hear all of this?”

“From the desert dwellers who passed through Himerum. News travels fast with nomads since they’re always on the move. There is a big excitement among commoners now. Those who got their hands on the escaped Joy Vessels are expected to sell them. So now they all think that everyone has a chance at getting some of their joy—not just the highborn or the royalty.”

Kurai jerked a shoulder. Probably sensing that I was awake, he glanced my way, then turned away quickly, but Oria noticed the gesture.

“What’s going on? Why are your tendrils out?” she asked, stepping forward.

“Oria.” A warning sounded in Kurai’s voice as he lunged to stop her.

But she was faster, yanking the cover off me. I closed my eyes tightly, afraid to face her.

“A…a human?” Oria stumbled back in shock. “Kurai? Did you steal a royal Joy Vessel?”

“It wasn’t planned. Let her sleep. She’s been through a lot.”

He grabbed the blanket from her and carefully covered me again. I ventured to open my eyes again, furtively peeking from under the cover.

“Let her sleep?”Oria mimicked, gasping for breath. “Do you even realize what you’ve done? You’re now in the possession of the queen’s property. The guards are looking for the runaway Joy Vessels far and wide. If… I mean,whenthey find her, you’ll be sentenced to death by exposure to the sun. They’ll cook you alive in the day's heat!”

“If I didn’t bring her here, she would’ve died in the desert. She may still die if she doesn’t eat soon. Do you have any food?”

“Food? You’re asking me for food?” Oria repeated, dumbfounded by his simple request. “We have a fucking Joy Vessel in the temple, Kurai! Uhgrrr…” She speared her fingers through her shoulder-length hair and plopped on the edge of the bed. “What were you thinking, bringing her to the temple? They will come for her. They’ll accuse us all of stealing her. They’ll kill us all.”

He crouched in front of her, placing his hands on her knees.

“Oria, listen to me?—”

“No,youlisten to me.” She poked a finger in his chest, hiss-whispering her words in his face. “By now, there weren’t supposed to be any humans left in our kingdom. They would’ve been either back in their world, where they belong, or dead. Prince Rha wouldn’t allow any outsiders in hissarai, but the queen did. Master Arter chose you for that mission. You spent weeks in the queen’ssarai, more than enough time to set off a few vials of exploding potion and kill them all. Yet here you are. Andwithher!”

Kill them all.

Kill them all.

Kill them all.

Her words throbbed inside my skull, echoing with each heartbeat.

“This Joy Vessel has to die. Now.” Oria’s verdict dropped—sharp and ruthless—like an axe on my neck.

A loud sound from the floor above came as a strike of lightning, sudden and startling. Someone seemed to be pounding with their fists on the doors of the temple.

Oria sprang to her feet.

“The worshipers are here. It’s morning already. I’ll let them in and start the service.” She paused, leveling Kurai a heavy stare. “What if it’s the queen’s guards, coming to collect the crown’s property?”

“They can’t see her here.”

“I agree. They cannot or it would put the entire temple in jeopardy.” Oria lowered her voice. “She needs to die, like all of them do. That’s the only way.”

I waited for Kurai to argue, to defend my right to live. But he remained quiet.

“Remember your vows, Kurai,” Oria insisted.

“I vowed to protect the Joy from harm?—”

“By all means necessary,” she finished for him.

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