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Vito brought out a smooth, wooden box. He slowly opened it to reveal a box of multicolored gems, each one looking more expensive and delicate than the one next to it. Adrian took a deep breath, nodding.
“This is enough, I assume?” the king asked.
Adrian gave a short laugh of disbelief and bit his lip. “More than a sinner like me deserves, to be sure.”
King Melchior waved for Vito to close the box. Vito did as he was told, then handed it to Adrian. Adrian had to release my hand to take the box, and my hand suddenly felt cold without him.
“This is your last chance to live with honor, Captain,” the king said. “Remember that.”
Adrian didn’t answer, only bowing his head in acknowledgment.
“We will send your brother back home once he’s cured,” the king continued. “How long that will be will depend on him. I can’t guarantee the time.”
“I’ll think of something to tell my parents,” Adrian said. “They wouldn’t believe the truth if I told them.”
“Most people don’t. But I warn you, the human realm and this realm are connected, but they are not one. There are details you will forget.”
The king smiled.
“In fact, you’ll probably forget me telling you that you’ll forget,” he added.
The king’s smile disappeared.
His smile suddenly shifted to an open mouth of terror and pain as he threw a hand to his chest, doubling over as he screamed. Vito and Hugo rushed in and grabbed him before he could fall to the ground. He was pale, losing color faster and faster by the second until he was almost gray.
“What’s happening?” Adrian asked, nearly throwing the box of jewels aside and coming to the king’s aid.
“This has never happened before!” Vito said, holding tight to the king’s arm. “Your Majesty, what—”
King Melchior grabbed Vito’s arm, gritting his teeth.
“The Eros…” King Melchior forced out. “Get to the Eros. Now.”
CHAPTER 39—UNITED
We carried the king to his room as he paled further and further.
The moment the king had collapsed on the ship, Jacques took off for the throne room to find the culprit. Adrian helped Vito and Hugo with carrying the king, and I followed them close behind to assist in any way that I could.
They lay him on his bed—a large slab of stone decorated with deep carvings filled with teal light—and I came to his side to take his hand and check his forehead. When he smirked at me, I realized my foolishness for checking the temperature of the spiritual world king like he was a frail, old man.
Adrian came and stood beside me, resting a hand on my shoulder but keeping his eyes on the king.
“What can I do, Your Majesty?” he asked.
The king turned his head toward Adrian with a warm glow.
“The right thing,” the king replied softly.
Vito patted his chest. “We should go to the throne room and help! Jacques will need reinforcements!”
Hugo shook his head with a complete poker face. “What good is the right and left hand of the king if they are not at his right and left hand?”
Vito muttered nervously to himself as he switched his weight from one leg to the other, back and forth, back and forth. Hugo, on the other hand, became a full general.
“Call for alarm,” Hugo said to the other sirens that had followed us to the king’s room. “Get sirens to guard the throne room, the hallway, outside the king’s door, and the prison. Make contact with Jacques and provide any reinforcements he may need. Emergency code: red. Highest priority. Go.”
Most of the sirens left to follow orders. Some lingered, worried about the king’s condition. As they crowded Hugoand Vito with questions, one siren pushed through, breathing heavily.
