Xena nervously bit her nails, unable to comprehend how Jericho had discovered her hidden secret. Everything seemed to be falling apart-the king’s love for her was fading, and someone she had wanted to eliminate now held knowledge of her secret.
Now, her mission was to uncover information about the assassin who had nearly killed the king. The mere thought made her heart tremble, especially considering how she had to accomplish this without the king’s knowledge.
She pondered over Jericho’s motives for putting her in this precarious position, unable to pinpoint the true reason behind his interest. Something felt off, but she couldn’t quite grasp what it was. Taking a deep breath, she resolved that following Jericho’s suggestion was the only solution.
Restlessly pacing in her chamber, a mixture of nervousness and fear tightened in her stomach. However, after careful consideration, she concluded that meeting with Evans was crucial. He was the only person who could provide her with the information she desperately needed.
Summoning her courage, Xena made up her mind and left her room, ready to confront Evans and uncover the truth she sought.
Walking along the dimly lit hallway, Xena felt enveloped by the night, as eerie shadows danced upon the polished marble floor. The tension in the air was palpable, causing her heart to race within her chest. Determined, she followed the path that led to a secluded spot, rarely frequented by anyone.
As she arrived at the clandestine location, her eyes locked onto Evans, who stood there nervously, visibly weighed down by anticipation. Confusion swirled in his mind, unable to comprehend why the king’s concubine had summoned him at such a late hour. After all, he had always known her to be a cunning woman.
When Evans caught sight of Xena approaching, he instinctively lowered his head, bowing respectfully as he greeted her. “Good evening, Your Highness.”
However, Xena chose not to acknowledge his greeting. Instead, she swiftly closed the distance between them, causing a surge of unease to ripple through Evans. His heart pounded in his chest as Xena firmly pressed his hand against the chilling stone wall, placing him in an uncomfortable position.
A wave of panic washed over Evans, his mind racing to understand the reason for this sudden confrontation. The memory of what had transpired when the queen had cornered him in a similar manner flashed through his thoughts.
In a cold voice, Xena spoke, her words cutting through the air with a razor-sharp edge. “What do you think will happen if the king discovers the truth? You have been deceiving him with Aurora, the masked girl.”
Evans’s legs wavered beneath him, causing him to stumble slightly. Fear tightened its grip on his heart as he pleaded with desperation, “Please, Your Highness, I’m sorry. Please, spare me from the king’s wrath.”
Lowering herself to Evans’s eye level, Xena’s piercing gaze bore into his very soul. Her words held an icy undertone. “What are you willing to do to ensure my silence? If you truly wish to prevent the king from uncovering your treachery.”
Trembling, Evans found his voice, his fear driving him to utter submission. “Anything you desire, I will do it. Please, I beg you, do not expose me.”
Fine,” Xena replied, her voice resolute. “Tell me everything you know about the assassin who tried to kill the king today.”
Evans struggled to collect himself, his voice trembling as he responded, “I honestly don’t know anything about the assassin, I swear!”
Xena let out a mocking smirk, her eyes rolling in disbelief. She taunted him, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, really? Perhaps I should inform the king about your mockery, using Aurora as his masked girl. You know the consequences if he were to find out.”
Fear coursed through Evans’ veins as he realized the gravity of the situation. He pleaded, “Please, Your Highness, I’ll tell you everything! The king commanded Jaguar to capture the assassin. He suspects it was his own brother, Jericho, who sent the assassin. The king aims to extract information about his brother’s sinister plans.”
Xena raised an intrigued eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Is that so? Can I trust your words?” Evans hurriedly assured her, “I swear, Your Highness, I’m speaking the truth!”
“Very well,” Xena conceded, her tone softer now. “I will keep your secret safe, and I won’t expose you to the king. However, be ready to answer my summons whenever I require your assistance. No one must know of our conversation, or else the consequences will be dire. You know full well what I am capable of, don’t you?” Xena’s words pierced through him, sending a clear warning.
Evans’ gratitude overflowed as he nodded vigorously. “Thank you, Your Highness. You can trust me.”
With that, Xena released her grip on Evans and began to walk away. However, after taking a couple of steps, she abruptly turned back, her gaze searching Evans’ eyes as if seeking the truth.
“Evans, do you truly believe Jericho is responsible for the assassination attempt?” Xena inquired, a sense of doubt gnawing at her. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that there might be more to the situation. After all, the king had amassed numerous enemies due to his strength and power over the neighboring towns.
“I cannot say for certain, Your Highness. But I have my doubts. Jericho seemed determined to apprehend the assassin immediately after the incident. If the king had not intervened, Jericho might have succeeded in capturing him,” Evans responded carefully. He knew he had to tread cautiously, as revealing Jericho’s involvement would betray the king. Moreover, knowing of the intimate relationship between Xena and Jericho made it difficult for him to fully trust her.
“Very well,” Xena replied, her tone final. As she continued her journey through the shadowy corridors of the palace, a lingering sense of unease gripped her. Now, she questioned the validity of the king’s suspicions regarding his own brother. The thought that the king’s instincts could be true filled her with trepidation, as she knew all too well the accuracy of his instincts in the past.
As the confusion swirled in Evans’ mind, he struggled to comprehend the sudden interest of the mistress in the assassin. He couldn’t shake off the worry that Jericho might somehow learn about their conversation. However, he hoped fervently that Xena would keep their exchange a secret.
Glancing out of the window, Xena realized that the king must be en route to meet the masked girl. Time was of the essence, and Evans swiftly made his way down the hallway, heading towards the maids’ quarters. He knew he had to find a replacement for Aurora tonight, someone who could step into her role seamlessly. Shastina seemed like the most suitable candidate, given her prior knowledge of the secret.
Deep down, Evans yearned for Aurora to awaken and resolve the tangled web of lies they had spun. Regret gnawed at him for participating in the deceit from the beginning. He hoped for a swift resolution, one that would free them from the shackles of deception.
@@@@@@@@
Beside the lifeless form of Aurora, tears threatened to spill from Morena’s eyes. Her heart wrenched with grief as she gazed upon her, lying still on the sickbed. Time seemed to stand still in the dimly lit room, heavy with a mixture of despair and desperation.
Just then, the door creaked open, and a maid entered, holding a delicate vial of potion. Morena’s voice quivered with anticipation as she addressed the maid, her voice laced with a flicker of hope.
“Did you prepare the potion exactly as I instructed?” Morena asked, her eyes locked onto the vial.
“Yes, Your ma” am,” the maid replied, her voice gentle yet filled with concern. “I followed your instructions meticulously.”
Morena’s trembling hands reached out, taking hold of the vial. She cradled it delicately, her gaze unwavering as it remained fixed on Aurora’s lifeless body, propped against the wall.
“Please, help me raise her,” Morena requested, her voice tinged with both urgency and a deep longing.
The maid approached the bed, her hands carefully lifting Aurora’s frail form. With gentle precision, they propped her against the wall, providing a semblance of support for her weakened body. Morena’s heart pounded in her chest as she prepared to administer the potion, her voice a mixture of determination and fear.
“Keep her steady,” Morena instructed, her voice quivering with a mixture of hope and trepidation. “I must try… I must exhaust every possible option.”
With trembling hands, Morena leaned over Aurora, her fingers prying open her lips. Carefully, she poured the concoction into Aurora’s mouth, her heart aching with anticipation. But in an agonizing twist of fate, Aurora’s body convulsed, rejecting the liquid with a violent spurt of blood-tinged spittle.
The maid gasped in shock, her voice trembling with concern as she voiced her fears. “Your Ladyship, the poison appears to be more potent than anticipated! Are you truly confident that she can survive this? We have tried every known remedy, yet the poison seems to be devouring her from within.”
Morena stood frozen in that haunting moment, her mind racing for a solution. A mix of despair and determination battled within her as she searched her memory for any glimmer of hope. And then, like a spark in the darkness, a memory surged forth.
“Go swiftly,” Morena commanded, her voice urgent and pleading. “Retrieve Shastina from the maids’ quarters. She holds the cure that once saved Aurora. We need her now more than ever.”
With a nod of understanding, the maid hastened from the room, leaving Morena alone with Aurora. Morena desperately hoped that Shastina still had the cure, praying it could heal Aurora.
The sight of blood in Aurora’s spit scared her; she knew Aurora might not make it till daybreak without the cure.