Shadows of Avarice - Book #1 (BxB)

Chapter 33

Xia paced back and forth in his room, unsure what he should do tonight. He kept thinking about Osiris, even though he had plenty of time to come to a decision. It was still only early afternoon. The sun wouldn't be setting for a while.

It wasn't like he could ask anyone for advice either. Alishba was his sister so it was too embarrassing to bring it up with her, Amani would probably cheer him on, and Shiva still wasn't talking to him. The one person who he knew could give him some concrete advice was Soraya, but Xia didn't feel comfortable talking to her about it. He didn't know how she would react if she found out that Xia might have sex with Osiris tonight. The sultan used to be hers. She might have shared him with the other girls in the harem, but barely. Shiva and Amani were more like Osiris' friends than lovers.

Xia was also worried about the curse. He might not have seen the curse take over completely, but he knew Osiris became dangerous when it did. People died. Xia didn't want to end up one of the sultan's victims. Perhaps it would have been better to wait for another night. They still had time together, so they didn't need to sleep together tonight.

But Xia wanted it. After Osiris left his side earlier, Xia craved more. He was mad at Osiris for leaving him in that state, but he knew the sultan did it on purpose. Osiris was trying to make Xia desire him. He knew what game he was playing.

He couldn't take it anymore. Pacing around his room wasn't making him feel any better. If he was alone, then he would keep thinking about tonight. He needed something to distract him, and he knew what he could do. It was about time that he faced that man in the dungeon, and try to get as much information out of him as he could.

First, Xia needed to figure out how to get there without getting caught.

It didn't help that Xia wasn't sure where the dungeon was located. He had an idea, but it wasn't a part of the palace he had never explored before. He never explored because there were always guards. Xia wasn't sure when those men changed shifts. He learned the routine of the men who guarded Soraya, but not the ones who guarded the dungeon. Xia might be forced to put his acting skills to the test once more.

Xia left his room and made his way to where he believed the dungeon was located. He knew he looked suspicious as he kept looking around, but he wanted to make sure no one was following him. Since revealing his identity, Xia knew people were watching him. Whether they were his enemies now or not, Xia wasn't sure. But he did know that a lot of people didn't take kindly to Xia being a man. Those people didn't want another man to rule beside the sultan.

Eventually, Xia came to a stop before reaching his destination. He peeked around the corner to see two guards standing at what he assumed was the entrance to the dungeon. He wasn't sure how he would approach them or how to convince them to allow him to pass. While Xia may have gained the sultan's favor, he held no power in the castle. If Xia wasn't given permission to enter, then he doubted these men would allow him to easily pass. He needed to come up with something.

He contemplated telling them they were needed elsewhere, until he heard someone behind him quietly ask, "What are you doing, Xia?"

Quickly, Xia turned around to come face to face with Amani. The concubine was uncomfortably close to him, and she had a wicked smile on her face. Whatever he was up to, she wanted to know. She glanced around the corner to see what Xia was looking at. While she did, Xia took note of her snake that was wrapped loosely around her neck. He had almost forgotten that this woman kept a poisonous snake as a pet.

She was able to put the clues together as she asked, "Why do you want to get into the dungeon? Oh, do you plan on murdering that nobleman who kidnapped you?"

He knew she was only jesting. Xia doubted she had a single serious bone in her body. He rolled his eyes and answered, "Don't be ridiculous. All I want is a little bit of information regarding Osiris' curse."

It couldn't hurt to tell her what he was up to, but he wouldn't give her all the details. There were other things Xia wanted to know, but it was mostly regarding the curse. Besides, if Amani cared about Osiris, then she must have been curious about the curse as well. So far, no one has been doing anything to break it. The court suspected an offspring would break the curse, but it couldn't be that simple. If it were, Osiris would have had a child by now. He would have done what he could to not hurt people anymore, but Xia also remembered something else he was told.

If Osiris had a child, then the child would gain his curse. Osiris wouldn't have allowed that to happen.

Amani's eyes seemed to light up as he told her this. "Aww, you must really love Osiris if you're willing to face the man who tried to harm you."

Xia blushed, but he wouldn't admit to anything. He didn't know if he loved Osiris, or if this was just an infatuation that wouldn't last. It was hard to tell as Xia was confused by his feelings.

"Anyway, do you have any way to help me?" He decided to ignore her comment.

She chuckled at his blatant refusal to comment on her last statement. She lovingly patted her snake, and then said, "Watch and learn. Julius Squeezer, my sweetheart, make those guards run away."

Amani gave the snake a soft kiss on the head. It seemed as though the reptile understood her command as it slithered down her body and onto the floor. They watched as the animal followed Amani's instructions and approached the men. They didn't notice it until Julius Squeezer began to slither up one of the men's legs.

The guard with Julius on him, now noticing the snake, was the first to freak out. He shook his leg as he tried to get the reptile off him, but Julius wrapped on tight. Julius would not let go unless his master commanded him to. All the while, Amani chuckled as she watched the men in dismay. They couldn't do anything to harm the snake, or else they would have to face the concubine's wrath. Upsetting her meant that Osiris might get involved.

"Damn it! Find Amani so she can get this stupid snake off me!" the man shouted in a panic. He was trying to control his nerves, but it was hard when a poisonous snake crawled up your leg.

As the men departed in search of the concubine, Amani nudged Xia forward. "Good luck. I hope you gain valuable information to help cure your future husband."

Xia once again blushed at Amani's teasing. She made it a little too obvious that she was invested in Xia and Osiris' relationship. While everyone else didn't seem to support their relationship, at least Amani did. She seemed to be his number one fan.

Before he left her side, she added, "Oh, you'll have to find your own way out of the dungeon. My work here is done.

Xia rolled his eyes, then stuck his tongue out at her. If she wasn't going to help him escape, then so be it. He was talented enough to avoid the guard's notice once he tried to get out, and he did appreciate her help. He could have figured it out by himself eventually, but she saved him the trouble. Now, he just needed to get the information he needed.

He prayed that this would be fruitful. If anyone might know how to save Osiris and how the curse began, then it would be the nobleman. He hoped this man would be willing to help him, even if it was only a little bit.

Xia left the concubine's side to enter the dungeon.