Shadows of Avarice - Book #1 (BxB)

Chapter 37

Xia was feeling much better after taking a dip in the healing springs. His body didn't ache and his bruises were gone, but for some reason, the scratches and bite marks remained. They didn't hurt anymore, but they didn't fade away either. Xia couldn't make any sense of it. Osiris didn't seem to have an explanation either. It didn't matter to Xia if he had a few extra marks. He was just glad they didn't hurt anymore.

Before they had the chance to discuss Xia's family, Osiris was pulled away. Xia still didn't take part in the politics of Rasea, which was a relief. If Osiris was serious about marrying Xia, then he would one day have a part in it. There was a lot Xia would need to learn, so he would enjoy what freedom he had now.

Since Xia couldn't spend any more time with Osiris, this was the perfect opportunity for him to seek out Dariya. He didn't know the first place to look for her, but she should still be in Rasea. She said she would inform him when her family planned on venturing the sands again. Xia was no longer interested in leaving the palace, but he still wanted to meet with her. Maybe she would agree to help him before her family left again.

As he was preparing to leave, Xia came to a halt when he felt someone tug on his sleeve. He glanced behind him to find his sister standing there. It felt like he hadn't seen Alishba in ages. He didn't forget about his sister, but other things have been keeping him occupied. Her life in the palace should have been comfortable, even if she didn't get to see her brother often.

"Seems like you've been enjoying yourself recently. It's rare to see you not clinging onto the sultan like a lost puppy," Alishba commented, her tone laced with annoyance.

"Alishba . . . we haven't seen each other and this is the first thing you say to me?" This irritated Xia. Why did his sister have to act like this now?

She crossed her arms. "You don't even bother to come see me anymore. We're supposed to be a team and lately, it's like you've chosen the sultan over your own family."

"That's not true. I'm allowed to be with both of you. I haven't chosen anyone over the other," he responded. Xia sighed, then added, "Why can't we stay? Our life in the palace has been good, and Osiris said that the others can live here as well. Zak, Tariq, and Grandmother can join us, and we can have the life we always wanted. They would be happy here."

Alishba seemed surprised, not by what Xia said, but by the expression on his face. She had never seen Xia wear that expression before. "Xia . . . do you have feelings for that man?"

He shrugged and glanced away. "So what if I do?"

"Are you serious right now? When we decided to go through with this operation, you weren't actually supposed to fall in love with Osiris. You were supposed to pretend to love him. We would steal his shit, then get the hell out of Rasea. Zak and Tariq are still waiting for us to finish what we set out to do. I understand we could have a good life in the palace, but this isn't what we wanted. We want to leave, not stay in Rasea. We wanted to see what more this world has to offer us while finding somewhere comfortable for Grandmother to settle down. Rasea isn't the place for us. It isn't safe for you." Alishba looked her brother in the eyes, pleading with him to understand her case.

Xia remembered all too well why they came to the palace in the first place. He couldn't forget that easily, but her last words confused him. "What do you mean by that? Why wouldn't Rasea be safe for me?"

She clenched her fists and then let out a sigh. "You were kidnapped, Xia. You were kidnapped for simply being betrothed to Osiris. What if that were to happen again? You were lucky enough to escape your captors, but you might not be as lucky next time. Osiris has enemies, and I've heard enough rumors about him. I've heard what people say about him, about how there's something wrong with him. Judging by the marks on your body, I guess those rumors are true."

While most of the cuts and bite marks were covered up, not all of them were. His neck and exposed parts of his arms were enough for Alishba to see that her brother had been hurt. Seeing the marks only made her worry about his well-being more.

She took her brother's hand, tightly grasping it. She looked him in the eyes once more and pleaded, "Xia, we can't stay here. I don't want you to get hurt anymore; not by Osiris' enemies or by him. If you continue to stay with him, I fear what might happen to you."

He heard and understood her worries, but he couldn't listen to them. Xia shook his head. "But what about what I want? I want to be with Osiris, and I can save him. Those rumors you heard about him are true, but I can make it right again."

"What if you can't? You don't know if you can fix him, and you'll just be taking a risk on your life. I know you have feelings for him. Maybe you love him, and you can't admit it yet, but there are other men out there. You'll meet someone else, someone who doesn't have nearly as many issues as the sultan. So please, let's leave the palace and Rasea behind us. Let's finally move on from this place." She squeezed his hand.

But Xia pulled out of her grasp. She didn't understand what he felt. He couldn't simply move on from this and find someone else. Xia didn't want that. Why was that so hard for Alishba to understand?

Sternly, he said, "I'm not leaving. I'm going to stay here, and I will save Osiris. Whatever obstacle comes my way, I'll face it like I always have. If you can't accept that, then maybe you should go home. I'll make sure that you're able to live comfortably and escape Rasea."

Alishba was taken aback by her brother's response. She bit her lip and tried not to cry. She couldn't look him in the eyes as she said, "Fine. I'll return home, and let the others know. I-I will wait for you at home. Just . . . don't forget about your family."

Without waiting for his response, Alishba turned and ran away from him. She didn't look back. She would return to her room, gather her belongings, and then return to the small shack they had always called home. As he watched her leave, Xia felt a tinge of regret. Perhaps he could have tried harder to convince her. If she had given it a chance, then they could make a life in the palace. This place could have become home to them.

When he saw her again, Xia would need to apologize. While he told her to leave without him, he knew his family would wait. As Alishba said, they were a team. They were in this together, and they would wait until Xia figured himself out. There was still a chance for Xia to keep his family and Osiris.

Right now, he needed to find Dariya. If Xia was able to save the sultan, then Alishba might warm up to the idea of Xia and Osiris being together. His family might be able to accept his choice.

With a deep breath, Xia left the palace.