Shadows of Avarice - Book #1 (BxB)

Chapter 31

It was a struggle, but when Xia got the opportunity, he snuck away from Osiris. After dinner, the sultan wanted to take Xia back to his room. On the way back, one of the servants needed the sultan's attention. While he was distracted, Xia made his escape. There was somewhere he wanted to go before returning to Osiris' room. It was something he couldn't tell Osiris, or else the sultan would never allow him to.

With a deep breath, Xia made his way to the concubine's quarters. He looked around before proceeding, making sure that no one was around. He didn't see Shiva or Amani, but knowing Amani, that didn't mean she wasn't watching him. That girl seemed always to be watching his every move. Since it was late, he hoped she would return to her room for the night. When the coast was clear, Xia made his way to the door at the end of the hall. He stayed on alert as he walked.

The guards were changing shifts, so this was the perfect opportunity for him to pay a visit. During his time in the palace, Xia memorized when the guards rotated. It was good to know in case he ever needed to escape this place. With how things were going with Osiris, he didn't want to escape anymore. He pushed the thought away. He didn't want to think about his future. Right now, he needed to focus.

Xia glanced around one last time, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a bobby pin. The door he wanted to open was locked tight, and it was a good thing Xia knew how to pick a lock. As quickly as he could, Xia inserted the bobby pin and worked his magic. It didn't take him long to have the door open. Slowly, Xia opened the door to peek inside. The woman inside had her back turned to him, so she didn't notice him entering the room.

He closed the door behind him, trying not to make a sound. Xia didn't know how he would get Soraya's attention without startling her. He knew she would be surprised enough when she saw his appearance. Xia thought about leaving and figuring stuff out on his own. He didn't forgive her for being involved in his kidnapping, but he wanted answers. She might be able to provide what he wanted to know. He would rather talk to her than the nobleman.

There was no point hesitating any longer. With a deep breath, Xia cleared his throat to get her attention.

Soraya quickly stood up and whipped around. She grabbed one of her pillows, ready to throw it at the intruder. Not that it would do any good, but she wanted some sort of defense. When she saw the purple-haired elf standing by the door, she stopped. She looked him up and down, taking in his features.

She hesitated as she asked, "Xia?"

He gave an awkward smile. "The one and only."

"Wait . . . you're a man?" She seemed stunned and at a loss for words. She kept looking at his face and attire, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Awkwardly, he shifted back and forth on his feet. He didn't come here to discuss his identity. He had questions for Soraya that needed to be answered. He would look past what she did to him if it meant getting the information he sought.

"Yes, but that's not what's important right now. I wanted to ask you about Osiris' curse. From what I understand, he wasn't always like this. He doesn't know who cursed him or why. I was wondering if you had any information about this." He didn't know if she would have any information, but he was taking a chance. If she was close to the nobleman, then maybe she knew something.

However, Soraya looked down and shook her head. "Osiris was cursed before I was even born. All I know are the details after I moved into the palace. Besides his court and people close to him, his curse is kept silent. It's not really something that is discussed outside the palace, and if word does get out, it is silenced quickly. When moving in, I was never told about it. It was something I had to find out the hard way."

With a sigh, she added, "Xia, has anyone ever told you why I'm at the palace?"

He shook his head. "I was told that if you wanted to tell me, you would. No one has mentioned your story yet."

As is by instinct, Soraya touched the sun tattoo on her stomach. She took a deep breath before saying, "I was forced here against my will. Not by Osiris, but by his court. One of the members is my father. I . . . have a gift. A healing gift, I suppose. When Osiris' curse acts up, I can calm him down. It is not a cure to his curse, but I can settle him. This whole time, the court has been using me and trying to make me get on the sultan's good side. I'm sure you're aware by now what the rumor is. If Osiris has a child, then his curse will be lifted. The court wants me to bear his child. They think my gift will heal him, as well as the child. So when Osiris started talking about marriage, I was the perfect candidate. The court doesn't want you sitting on the throne, and they'll definitely try to get rid of you more now that you've been exposed as a man."

Well, the court didn't know Xia's gender yet, but they would soon enough. Soraya did not know that, though. She had been locked in her room for days, so she was under the impression that the truth was revealed. The woman looked exhausted and depressed. She mostly kept her head down, not bothering to look up at Xia. Knowing her, he doubted she even regretted what she did.

However, that didn't stop him from feeling bad about her situation. Even Soraya was forced to be in the palace against her will. He was curious about her gift , but he didn't want to pry.

Since he couldn't get any information about Osiris, he had another question for her. This one was personal.

"Why did you do it? Why did you have that nobleman kidnap me? I understand you dislike me, but you even admitted to knowing what would happen to me. I just don't understand why you would have me, an elf, kidnapped, especially when you know what usually happens to my kind. Being sold on the black market isn't the worst thing that could have happened to me. Death isn't the worst thing that could happen to me." Xia didn't want to think about all the possible outcomes. He was lucky to escape when he did. If he wasn't sold, then he would have become a plaything to one of the thugs.

Soraya was quick to defend herself as she did the first time she was accused of this. "I swear, I didn't say anything. I've already explained this to Osiris. No matter how much I dislike someone, I would never wish that upon anyone. That nobleman asked me about you, but I didn't tell him anything at the party. You have to remember that his daughter was Sultana once. He knows which part of the palace she resided in. That has never changed, so he would already know where to locate you once you returned to your room. I don't know what else to say or do to make you believe me."

It was hard to trust her. He knew she wanted him out of the picture, but she sounded like she was telling the truth. Maybe there was a chance she wasn't involved. He also didn't know if she was bothered by the fact that Xia was a man. Shiva seemed more bothered by it than Soraya. In fact, it might have been his imagination, but Soraya's tone seemed softer towards him. It might have been because of the gender reveal, or because she felt defeated. Either way, Xia was done talking to her. The information she provided wasn't helpful.

Xia turned to leave her alone in the room. Unfortunately, it seemed as though he would have to get information about Osiris' curse from the noble. He despised the idea of having to see that man again, but it looked like he didn't have much of a choice.

Before departing, Soraya called out to him, "Please, think about what I've said. I had nothing to do with your kidnapping."

He didn't look back at her as he left the room.