Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles

Chapter Twelve: The Death Sentence

"Only law enforcement, Their Royal Majesties, and the Slave Owner may harm an owned Slave. All unauthorized individuals caught harming an owned Slave without permission from the owner will be prosecuted to the utmost of the law in addition to paying the owner the full value of the harmed Slave."

With her head hung low, Nadia followed Polaris out of the sparring room and down the corridor. Rein perched on her shoulder.

"Go ahead and let him know of your curse, Nadia," Rein whispered into her ear. "It might be better for everyone if he knew about it."

Nadia wasn't sure if she agreed with Rein. In the parlor, Polaris took a seat in his wing chair in front of the fireplace, which was adjacent to Drake who slowly set his book down when he noticed that everyone had moved to this room all of a sudden. Nadia stood silently in front of the royal advisor, and Rein stood on the end table next to them.

"So, what is going on, you two," Polaris asked. "There is clearly something wrong with Nadia's ear. Something of which you are both aware and have failed to explain to me."

Rein gestured for Nadia to tell him everything, but Nadia remained silent. Polaris focused his attention on her. "Why won't you tell me what's wrong with your ear, Nadia?"

"I've been instructed not to, sir," Nadia confessed. Rein dropped her arms to her side in defeat.

"By whom?" Polaris asked.

"The miracle worker who brought me here," Nadia answered.

"I see. And why does he or she not want you to tell anyone about your ear?"

"Because she says it's too dangerous."

"Do you not trust me?" Nadia said nothing. "Let me explain something to you, Nadia: if I am to protect you effectively, then I must know what and who I'm protecting you from. Now, it occurs to me that whatever is wrong with your ear can complicate matters, but since I don't know in what way, I don't know how to protect you from it. So, I need you to show me your ear."

Nadia hesitated. She looked to Rein once more and Polaris followed her gaze in the hope that Rein was on his side. Rein nodded for Nadia to inform Polaris, and finally she yielded. She tucked her hair behind her ear to reveal the tell-tale slit directly below where her ear came to a point. Polaris's eyes grew wide. He gently pulled Nadia closer to him and touched the slit to deduce whether it was a tragic accident as he hoped it was, or truly the sign that she was cursed. Even Drake leaned in to get a closer look, but he couldn't see it well enough to come to his own conclusion.

"Does your master know about this?" Polaris asked.

"No, sir."

"That's probably for the better," Polaris said. "What's your curse?"

"I was given a golden ball that only I can have," Nadia answered. "If anyone else touches it, I lose my strength."

Drake fell back against the couch, overcome by Nadia's words.

"Of all possible curses..." said Polaris as he rubbed his face. "Is the ball well-hidden?" Polaris asked.

"I don't think so, sir," Nadia answered. "Right now, it's in my dresser drawer but Rein wants me to bury it in the Lucierna Forest. I don't think that's much better, so I haven't done it yet."

"It's safer than in your master's own castle," Rein argued.

"Well, I can understand where both of you are coming from. However, I'm glad Nadia hasn't gone to bury in the Lucierna just yet."

"You think it's safer on Rallian's estate?" Rein asked.

"No, but any fool can spot Nadia burying gold in the forest," Polaris argued. He turned back to Nadia. "Keep the ball where it is for now. Later, Rein and I can discuss the best location for it. Is there anything else you two would like to tell me?"