by N. J. Cooper
“But you’re both out of the running, Kyla. That ruins everything.” Wyatt frowned. Kyla shrugged.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, Wyatt. At least he is still letting our tests be included in the viewings, that’s better than being thrown in exile. I can’t do anything other than that, now.” She said, jumping as Shemar banged loudly on the door.
“Kyla?” He demanded.
“I’ll be out in a minute.” She called back then moved closer to Sky and Wyatt, lowering her voice,
“Just make sure the Queen doesn’t leave that infirmary. I have a feeling that when she finds out her tests are still going to be viewed, she is going to try and stop it happening, so go keep an eye on her room and don’t let her leave.” Kyla whispered. Sky nodded as Wyatt went wide eyed.
“How the hell are we meant to do that, Kyla? There are centaurs posted in her room.” He snapped. Kyla rolled her eyes.
“Get creative. I don’t know, play dress up and get into doctor mode or something. Just don’t let her leave, okay? I have to go.” Kyla said then before either of them could argue, she spun away and left them in the bathroom, rushing out and straight into Shemar’s huge body. He glared down at her.
“You took too long.” He murmured, looking behind her warily.
“Sorry, should we get back then?” She asked and went to walk forward when he stood in front of her and stamped his hoof.
“Okay, enough. I put my ass on the line for you Kyla, I trusted everything you told me and now it looks like it’s going to screw me over. If you are going to fail these tests, tell me now.” He demanded with a broken voice that had her wondering if maybe it wasn’t just the fact that she might have done what she was accused of doing, but the fact that she had personally betrayed him and for a centaur, that had to hurt. So, she had to reassure him, she couldn’t lose Shemar, not after Orion. He had to know she was telling the truth. Kyla stepped forward and hugged his bold body, his dark skin making hers look impossibly white in the shadowed hall.
“Shemar. I promise on Orion’s life that I did not do anything to the Queen. I have done nothing but try and protect those I love since I got here and although I can’t promise that I will pass the tests, I do think I will because my heart belongs to Zarek and I will protect his realm and the creatures in it.” She swore, tears tickling her lashes. He was silent for a while before he sniffled and cleared his throat. Kyla stepped back and looked up at him, his nostrils flaring as his lips pursed.
“I believe you Kyla, I just hope that the King will too.” He admitted. Kyla nodded.
“So do I, should we go find that out then?” She asked. He nodded and led her back to her seat at the side of the stands, her handcuffs still on. She sat down and watched as the new vampire Elders were sworn in and the other two were directed back to their seats. Kyla watched the next set of tests; the goblins. Most of them passed and two were chosen before being sworn in, one of them being Harlin, which Kyla actually smiled at. She was a stern looking goblin, but her aura was pure and she smiled at the King enough to make Kyla think she would do anything for him. Next was the giants and the same routine followed. The two new Elders were sworn in and then finally the sorcerers were called up. The other two went first and they both passed, and since her and the Queen were disqualified, they were both sworn into the High Council. They took an oath, kissed Zarek’s ring and made a blood bond that burned their vow into their arms. Officially the new High Council was complete. Except they weren’t finished and Zarek looked weary as he came forward to the microphone on the podium.
“And that is your new High Council, Velatem.” Zarek said as everyone exploded in applause and cheers. Zarek clapped for a bit then lowered his hands and everyone drew quiet. Very quiet. A tension filled the stadium as he looked towards Kyla, his jaw clenched and his knuckles white against the stand. He looked over to where a screen was being wheeled on to the stage, it had the picture of his mother on the screen in her hospital bed, still unconscious. Everyone gasped.
“Unfortunately, that is not the only thing we have on the agenda today. We still have two more tests to go through, and I do know this has been a long process so please bare with me a little longer. The staff are going to come around with some refreshments before we head into the last remaining tests. We are going to go through the Oracle’s, and then the Queens. This should help us determine who is telling the truth and should either of them fail, there will be consequences.” Zarek said ending his statement harshly before walking away from the podium. The refreshments came around in the hands of the mansion staff as Shemar nudged Kyla. She turned to him, her mouth-watering as she glanced back at the refreshments before standing.
“Can’t I have something to eat first? I’m starving.” She whined. Shemar shook his head.
“Sorry, we have to go to the King. It’s briefing time before the tests are viewed.” he said sincerely. Kyla nodded and followed Shemar up to the stage, unable to help the slight pout of her lip as she sulked, and her stomach grumbled. Shemar led her up to where Zarek was whispering with the High Council members before clearing his throat to let him know they were there. Kyla bit her lip, her eyes roaming over Zarek. He was tired, his shadowed eyes were darker, and his usually casual confidence was gone with the burden of ruling. She wished she could make it better, wished she could help him, and she had to hold on to the hope that everything she had done was going to do that, whether he forgave her for it or not.
“Kyla.” he breathed.
“Zarek.” she said but Shemar nudged her. She winced and repeated her greeting with the appropriate title, “Sorry, King Zarek.” Kyla tried again. Zarek looked like he was almost going to smile but hid it quickly and looked out over the creatures he was ruling, all waiting to hear what was going to happen. Queen vs. Oracle. Who was the traitor? Kyla knew the answer, but they were still wondering, and it showed in all the nosy, beady eyes that were watching her and Zarek at that moment.
“You are going to drink the silver serum, it will taste horrible, but you have to hold it down. It will send you into a paralyzed state and connect the serum in your mind to the monitor. We will see everything your mind wants us to see. So, what you saw in the tests will be altered in accordance with what would have happened, had you acted according to your nature. It will read your soul, and some have described a burning feeling, but it will finish once the trials are read. If you are to fail, or any part of this test is deemed illegal or treasonous, you will be arrested. The rest of your viewing will be watched to determine the extent of your treachery.” he finished. Kyla frowned.
“Could you at least try to act like you aren’t already convicting me?” Kyla grumbled. Zarek scowled.
“I would rather not convict you, Kyla but I cannot just ignore what you have been accused of. I’m sorry it has to be this way and I wish I knew for certain without this, but I don’t. It has to go this way.” He admitted. Kyla shrugged. She already knew that. She wanted it.
“Good. I want it to go this way, Z. I need you to see everything. My side and hers. It was the whole point of this, whether she claims she was poisoned or not. You need to see what has really been happening, a truth that I wish I could have told you sooner. And I hope that once you do see everything that you will forgive me for not doing so.” Kyla said then without further instructions, went to stand inside the pentagram that she had seen the others go to. Zarek watched her before snapping out of it and going to the podium.
“Okay, Velatem. It is time to begin. The Oracle’s test are being viewed today to shed some light on what has happened. Whether she passes or fails, it will have an effect on her status within the realm.” He boomed out to everyone, who immediately fell into silence with curious eyes, that were wide and impatient. Zarek looked over to the lady who carried over a serum to Kyla, “Miss Rhodes, drink the serum and let the silver take you. See you soon.” He said before she accepted the serum and sculled the liquid back. Her bones were taken by a searing heat instantly as she went bli
nd and dropped to her knees. She wanted to cry out, but she couldn’t; her vocal cords were paralyzed. Finally, light broke into her mind and began to play the memories and the situations she had been put in during the tests, each one playing exactly how she had seen it. Kyla’s body remained tense the entire time, waiting for the pin to drop but after each memory, after each demonstration, a green light flashed in her mind as a mechanical voice called out ‘Pass’. She breathed a sigh of relief as the final one passed, her heart pounding as the serum began to pull out of her. The fire that had been searing her, slowly withdrew and she could untense her body again. Kyla’s mind went dark, seconds before her eyes fluttered open, her ears unblocked and were met with a thunderous applause. Kyla blinked hard then slowly looked around, her blurry vision coming into focus as she was helped up from her knees.
“You did it, Kyla. You passed.” Shemar’s deep voice broke through the haze. She looked up to his soft brown eyes and smiled.
“Of course I did.” Kyla breathed, her heart still racing. She leaned on him as he led her to stand in front of Zarek.
“Miss Rhodes, you have passed the realms most intense test of humanity, loyalty and morality. Everything we have been shown proves your promises to the realm. This is good news and I am glad you have proven yourself, but that still leaves the Queens to enlighten us on exactly what has transpired.” He said, looking completely professional but his crinkled eyes were smiling at her. She grinned at him, her heart blooming with warmth as Shemar uncuffed her.
“Wait, so you believe me? You don’t think I did anything to your mom anymore?” Kyla asked rubbing her wrists as they were released. Zarek shook his head.
“If you had, the serum would have found it and shown me.” He admitted. Kyla grinned and he smiled but it was half-hearted as he moved away from the speaker to give her a hug. The audience clapped and cheered but Kyla tensed at Zarek’s words.
“He kissed you. You didn’t tell me that he kissed you.” Zarek whispered against her ear. Kyla clutched his warm body tighter.
“I didn’t know he was going to, Z. I swear. It was only so we didn’t get caught, I told him not to do it again.” Kyla said in a desperate way that she hoped he forgave her for. His arms tightened around her.
“I know, I saw. It sucked though. And when you were put in bed with him, damn near killed me Kyla. I don’t want to see you with anyone else like that, ever again. The fact that the entire realm just saw that much of you, gets on my nerves let alone Wyatt staring at it with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.” Zarek said but his tone was joking and she hoped that meant he wasn’t going to hold it against her. She fisted her hand in his hair, breathing in the scent that was him as she knew their hug had to end. She went to pull away, but he kept her there.
“What’s wrong?” She whispered as he buried his face in her neck, the crowd still whistling and enjoying the moment they were having.
“I’m not going to like what I am about to see, am I? It’s going to be as bad as you say, isn’t it?” Zarek whispered, his voice wistful. Kyla’s throat closed as her tears choked her. It was going to be that bad, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it, so she just hugged him tighter, kissed him on the cheek then let him go, stepping back, holding her tears in her eyes. He nodded sadly anyway, understanding her answer even without words.
“I guess we better just get it over and done with then.” Zarek sighed then straightened his clothes and walked over to the microphone again.
“We must see the Queen’s tests.” Zarek said before turning to the screen, “Are you ready?” Zarek asked into it as a nurse stood at the IV bag that was feeding fluids into his mother. She had a needle of silver liquid ready at the line and nodded, “Do it.” Zarek ordered as the nurse injected it into the Queen. Kyla had known that her tests were going to be bad or at least hoped they would reveal everything, but if she had known how bad, she might have just told Zarek anyway because as soon as the screen flickered to life, Zarek went more pale than she had ever seen him.
As soon as the Queen’s tests started, Kyla knew something was wrong. There wasn’t a distinct difference to know whether what they were watching was a memory or a practical but the vision was tainted red. The Queen sat next to the King in the image and she looked every bit the royal as she had before the tests. It pierced Kyla’s heart to see the King again but there was a warmth to it that was filled with love. She missed him so much, his wise words that had driven her insane and the way he always knew what to say or even what was going to happen, just by being intuitive. Kyla looked over at Zarek who had gone tense. She swallowed her own emotion and stepped forward, sliding her hand into Zarek’s. He didn’t look at her, but he did squeeze it tightly, letting her know she had done the right thing. She looked back at the screen to where the royals sat on their thrones, in their robes. A creature hobbled down the fluffy carpet before them and knelt in front of them, his small frame almost like a goblin, but cleaner. As he bent down, two transparent wings popped out from his shirt that was open at the back before he stood again.
“Your Majesty, your Highness. It is my honour to meet with you, and I wish it was under better circumstances, but the elves require your assistance.” The squeaky voice said. The King smiled but the Queen rolled her eyes. Another red flag.
“Tell us how we can help, Elder Hemphrin.” The King urged. Elder Hemphrin rushed to explain his situation as the Queen looked as bored as anything.
“Well, we have run into some trouble with our water. The fae, our cousins who were helping us maintain our own water source, have decided it is not worth their magic anymore and cut us off. Now that we have connected to the main realm source, the flow from the ogres and giants and goblins areas, are overflowing into ours and killing our crops. We are struggling to keep our kin alive on the impure source, your Majesties. It is unfortunately extremely imperative that a solution be found before our kind don’t just get sick but die. We have trouble breeding as it is, but with this new problem, we have not been able to sire offspring for a whole season.” The elf sniffled. King Carrick nodded along and looked as if he was about to say something when the Queen stood up with an irritated sigh.
“Oh, spare me peasant. As if we need any more of you spoilt, whiny little brats running around with all your half ass magic. Tell me what you really do for our realm hmm?” She snapped walking down the stairs, “Nothing, that’s what. You were tolerated because of your link to your cousins in the fae realm but if that has really been severed, then why should we waste our time and resources on you?” The Queen spat before a bell rung through the image. The Queen scowled and looked around before the image melted into another. It was another ask of the royals, another beggar, another no from the Queen. Image after image of her treating the realms people like trash and refusing to give them what they needed and Kyla wasn’t even sure whether they were seeing a memory or not, but either way the alarm blared again and the automated voice announced the humanity test as failed. The image broke away as she clutched Zarek’s hand tighter. He was breathing heavily as tears swam in his eyes, but he had no time to grieve for what he knew he was losing because the image went straight to the next test; Loyalty. As soon as the image returned with another red tinge, Kyla knew it was going to be just as heart-breaking and she wished she could ease him into it but she had warned him and that was all she could do. Kyla stepped closer into him and concentrated on what the Queen had been trying to hide. Queen Lena stood in front of the portal, there were no guards left and she wasn’t sure whether it was a memory or not. She was assuming it was because she was failing and that was why her tests weren’t following the usual pattern, but it didn’t matter as long as it showed what it needed to. The portal was swirling as a shadow flittered through it. The Queen leaned in closer to it.
“The plan has changed, Onyx. You can’t go through with this absurd plan to trap the Oracle in her friend’s mind, not when my son is getting sent in there with her. I won’t allow it.” The Queen hissed at th
e portal as Zarek’s whole body slouched. Any hope he’d had of his mother being truthful was just shattered in a single comment. He scowled at the screen as gasps rang through the crowd.
“My Queen, I will not harm your precious son, only his Oracle. I promise.” Onyx’s wheezy voice came through the portal. The Queen frowned at him.
“You better not, Onyx. I do not wish to be your Queen at the expense of his life.” She bit but he cackled.
“Liar. You will do whatever it takes to get a hold of the power that only I can bestow. Just wait, my dear. Our time is coming.” He whispered before the picture changed. It blurred as if fast forwarding, before stopping on another picture of her in front of the portal.
“You have an update?” Onyx’s voice came from the other side. His face never materialized from the portal, but she knew it was him with every shaking bone in her body.
“Yes, my lord. My son is coming to the giant’s area tomorrow with her. They will be there under the pretence of reports, but they are there to inspect the warehouse, you need to move the bodies and the weapons. The souls will be found if she is there.” The Queen urged but Onyx scoffed.
“She won’t even know what a soul feels like, my dear. I trust we will be safe.” He said but the Queen slapped her hand against the portal framing, leaning in with a scowl.
“Don’t underestimate her, Onyx. It will be the death of you. Move the damn souls. You don’t need them until you break through on the full moon so get rid of them for now and move them back afterwards. And sort out that Djinn, she is trying to tear away from my control, it is making me queasy. The King has been asking questions.” The Queen admitted holding her stomach with a wince. Onyx snarled loud enough to make even Kyla jump.
“Don’t you dare call him King in my presence again!” Onyx screamed reaching through the portal and wrapping a taloned hand around the Queen’s neck. She gasped and pulled at his hand.
“You know I don’t mean it, now release me before I set that Djinn on you.” The Queen snarled. Onyx released her and she sighed, smoothing over her dress and looking back at the door, before leaning in closer to the portal, “Don’t forget, my King, that this is not just your game. I am the only reason you are even playing in the first place and I will not be touched like that again or I will remind you exactly how much power I have while you are stuck over there.” The Queen spat. Onyx laughed his manic laugh at her threat.