Page 86 of The King of Koraha
“Yes. You were spotted heading to the prince’s residence.”
“They might still believe they’re safe,” Xerxes said, more to himself. “I think we need to shatter that notion. The sooner the better.”
“Do you want him to show you the way?” she asked Xerxes.
“Yes.”
“I won’t,” the man shouted.
“Oh, you poor soul,” Xerxes said, almost gleeful. “Haven’t you figured out that you don’t have a choice?”
Xerxes asked her to convert him and his partner. It was easily done. Too easy. A demonstration of just how much power she held. Again conflicted emotions surged and drained.
Xerxes had watched her. Then he glanced at Vilma. “Do you know what I’m thinking?”
She smiled. It was borderline feral. “If she has the juice.”
“Oh, she has it,” Xerxes said. “We can convertallthe prince’s guards without using any pendants. The city will be ours. We don’t have to pretend to be mercs anymore and slowly take over each city. We can just go in and conquer!” Excited, Xerxes picked up Little One and spun her around. “All because of you!”
His last two sentences sent a jolt of horror right through her and for a crystal-clear moment, she had control. But he noticed her expression and quickly set her down. He pulled out her pendant. Shyla closed her eyes—she didn’t need to see to influence him with her magic. Except she forgot his ability to slip out of her magical reach. Was it due to his own pendant?
He laughed. “You don’t need to see the jewel. Not when I do this…”
She opened her eyes. He’d taken his pendant out. The beautiful yellowish-orange jewel winked at her. Then he touched the jewel to the one on hers. Suddenly, she was sucked into the blackness. All her thoughts and emotions—her soul—were trapped within the jewel’s depths.
Shyla struggled to return to her body. Hard unyielding and invisible walls kept her contained. She banged against them in sudden terror. Nothing. Not even a sound.
Her thoughts turned to her physical body. Had it become a mindless minion? Did her magic stay with her body? Those questions actually helped settle her panicked thoughts. In order to wield her magic, she had to gather her will. And since her will was in here, then Xerxes couldn’t use her. Small comfort. Better than nothing.
It didn’t take long to figure out she was well and truly trapped. No matter how hard she concentrated or exerted her will, she remained locked within the jewel. Xerxes’ yellowish-orange stone had to be a magical artifact like The Eyes of Tamburah, allowing the wearer great power and influence over those wearing the black pendants. The connection was obvious now that she could think clearly. Still didn’t help her, though.
Then a surge of energy filled her and she was ejected from the jewel. She slammed into her body with such force she toppled to the ground. Pain burned inside her as if she’d been set on fire. She moaned.
Xerxes crouched over her. “That’s what happens when you fight me. I could have kept you in there forever. Even after your body had withered and died.” He held up her pendant. “Look.”
She stared at the black jewel. It soothed her soul, but not the pain in her body. “Why…” It was difficult to talk with her blood boiling.
“Everything has consequences, Little One. The pain will go away when you have learned your lesson.” Xerxes stood, leaving her on the floor. “Vilma, take a unit and Big Brute and go clean out that nest of guards on level twenty-seven,” Xerxes ordered.
They were still there? It seemed as if she had been trapped a long time.
“But sir, he’s—”
“The one who came up with the idea to interview the guards.” He turned to Big Brute. “You need to listen to Vilma. She’s in charge. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.” He followed Vilma from the room, but before leaving he met Little One’s gaze and there was a spark of the man he’d been. Then it was gone.
She lost track of the time, her surroundings…everything. Her world consisted of one thing. Pain. She burned and sizzled as if staked to the sand at apex.
When it finally stopped, the world around her solidified—the hard floor underneath her, the cold air on her sensitive skin, the bone-deep ache in her body as if she’d used too much of her magic.
Xerxes soon crouched next to her. “Better?”
“Yes,” she croaked.
He scooped her off the ground and carried her through the prince’s residence until they reached a large guest suite. Xerxes settled them both onto a sleeping cushion. He pulled her close so her head rested on his shoulder. No inner voice screamed warnings. It was silent. Little One sighed and relaxed against him. The goddess’s love had granted her peace again.
“Remember when I said there were different levels of obedience?” Xerxes asked her. He didn’t wait for an answer. “What happened with the pendants was me taking more of you. I can take all of you and you would exist in that jewel forever, but I don’t wish to do that. You’re smart. And your power can help me immensely. I know you’re horrified by my methods. But consider that with your help, there will be no bloodshed. No one needs to die. Isn’t that better than some violent takeover?”
