The Scarlet Scepter

Chapter Eighteen (Revised)

"Well, it seems that you are not happy to see me."

"You're alive?" I said as my mouth dropped open. "But–"

"I'm supposed to be dead?" he smirked. "Yes, I think so too."

Cyrus was blinking. "Is that really you?"

"Would you like it, Cyrus, if I told you that it's not really me?" he laughed and pulled the blade.

I wanted to run over to him and embrace him, and when I stepped closer to him, he smiled. However, it made me freeze. Something's not right. I looked back at Cyrus, then at the Scepter. The gem at the top wasn't glowing anymore.

"What's the matter, Annaliese?"

I took a step back. "Why did you throw your blade at us?"

He shrugged. "My wicked sense of humor, I think. See, Cyrus didn't even move."

Cepheus grinned again, and I threw all of my doubts away and went straight into his arms.

"Annaliese, I missed you," he whispered into my ear.

I fought back tears. "I missed you too." I pulled away. "Cepheus, you wouldn't believe it! Celia turned out to be the Princess of Eirene . . . why didn't you tell us?"

"If I did, then we wouldn't be here at all."

I looked up at him, puzzled, but he just smiled. "How did you survive anyway?"

"I gained enough consciousness when I fell into the river. It carried me downstream, but I got out all right. I followed the river and I saw the ruins. Then I came here."

"I'm glad you're all right," I said. "Cepheus, we can go back now to Seriah. We got the Scepter."

"Oh?" he raised a brow and looked at Cyrus, who was holding it. "Good. You managed to retrieve it without me."

"It doesn't matter," I said, trying to assuage his feelings. "As long as we have it. You didn't come here in vain."

"Oh Annaliese, it does matter," he said gravely.

"What?"

"And I didn't come here in vain. In fact, I would like to thank you."

I stepped away from him. "What do you mean?"

I heard Cyrus's yell too late, and I didn't see Cepheus's blow coming.

I tried to steady myself as I tasted blood in my mouth. My stomach felt like a dumbbell was dropped on it.

"Thank you for clearing out that wolf and those annoying branches. You saved me the trouble."

"I don't understand," I said. Cyrus ran toward us, but Cepheus jerked me up and he pointed the edge of his blade at my neck.

Cyrus was trembling in rage. "Who stole the Scepter, Cepheus?"

No, it can't be.

Cepheus pulled me closer to him. "Who? That's right. I did."

I tried to get away from him, but he pressed the sharp edge closer to my skin. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he whispered.

"Let her go, Cepheus," Cyrus said, his voice shaking.

"Give me the Scepter," he said.

"And if I don't?"