Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Rogue Assassins

"Each town is allotted one auction stand to be kept in the center of town for the Slave Market. Each scaffold must be ten feet tall, twenty feet long, and eight feet wide."

Nadia didn't appear any better than she had looked before Makiar forced her to touch the ball. She lay there motionless, breathless, completely void of any sign of life. No one said a word while Makiar placed his fingers against Nadia's throat.

"Her pulse is back to normal, my Lord," he informed.

"Good," Rallian said as he released the breath he had held. "Inform the nursemaids that I want her nursed back to health as soon as possible so that she can get back to her chores quickly."

"Yes, my Lord," Alik and Makiar replied, and then everyone left the room.

Rein wiped away her tears of joy and flew off towards Bloodrose Villa.

***

Back in the parlor, everyone waited silently for Ivanna to mention any new, important information that took place within Nadia's bedroom. Suddenly, the marchioness sat up on her fainting sofa with her eyes wide open in apparent terror. All attention was on her and the room waited impatiently for her to explain what it was that caused her to react in such a way, but she said nothing.

"Was is it, my Lady?" Aleda finally asked.

Ivanna held out her hand to tell everyone to wait just a minute longer. Finally, Ivanna's demeanor collapsed in relief. "He's let her touch it."

Aleda and Drake applauded.

"Oh, thank God!" Polaris exclaimed as he put his head in his hands.

Even the servants in the room appeared happy and relieved.

"Forgive me for that moment of suspense," Ivanna said. "The very minute that she touched the orb, Nadia lost consciousness and everyone thought she had died, but she didn't. She's breathing normal and she has a strong pulse. I simply didn't want to say anything until something was confirmed."

"Thank you for that," said Drake.

Ivanna nodded in response, and then turned to look at Polaris to see how he was doing. He rubbed his face and hair.

"I'm so relieved that it's finally over," he said.

"Indeed," said Ivanna. "You should really take a nap."

Polaris glanced at Ivanna and considered not taking the suggested nap. However, he had found that Ivanna-induced sleep always made him feel better, so he nodded in acceptance.

"I think you're right."

Polaris set his empty glass on the end table and laid down on the settee. Then Ivanna approached him, placed her hand on his forehead, and put him to sleep.

At this point, a soft knock came from one of the shutters in the next room over, and perplexed looks showed on the faces of the servants nearby.

"Let her in," said Ivanna. "It's only Rein."

A servant obeyed and opened the shutter to let the little pixie in. Rein spotted everyone in the parlor and approached Ivanna, then spotted Polaris unconscious on the settee.

"Is he all right?"

"Yes," Ivanna answered. "He's only sleeping."

"Does he at least know the good news?" Rein asked with a large smile on her face.

"Yes, we all do," Ivanna answered.

"Wonderful!" Rein clapped her hands together. "Oh, such a relief! Listen, I could use your help with something else since you're much like my Aranel outside the Maja Forest."