A new ally

My body shook as I clung to the wall of the room. I breathed in and out heavily as I struggled to walk. The effects of the poison were still fresh.

I closed my mouth in hopes of stopping the vomit from spilling out. Ugh. What a treacherous poison. I will teach that Edola a lesson before making her an ally.

Cerebrius sat still in the chair watching me struggle. His poker face further annoying the hell out of me. Earlier he had voiced his concerns of me releasing Edola but I ignored them.

"Miss Cherura!"

How glad I was to hear that voice. I turned to see Darsha, Varsha, and Alesha enter the room. Darsha and Varsha wrapped their arms around me as they hugged me close. I closed my eyes to stop my dizziness.

"Darsha and Varsha step away from Miss Cherura. Do you have no awareness of how she feels after the poison?"

Alesha my savior, may the gods bless you! Darsha stayed by my side and said.

"But I was so worried about the miss!"

Alesha swept in and pulled the protesting Darsha and Varsha away from me.

I stepped back as I felt needles pierce my temples. Holy gods just what did Edola give me? That reminds me. How was I poisoned in the first place? Was it in the food? No that's not possible because Alesha, Varsha and Darsha are the same food.

It must have been an airborne injection. This is a technique which is used solely by members of the Scorpion Clan. They are trained from youth in the skill of being able to throw a thin needle miles away and strike their target in the neck. The sharp needle easily injects the poison. It must've happened in the commotion caused by Jucious, Cerebrius's subordinate.

I looked over at Cerebrius. He was now standing and leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. He was looking at me intently. Cerebrius both scares and calms me. I never know what he's thinking about. Despite his display of affection I still feel like there is something he is hiding from me. Something important.

I exhaled. Why should I care? There are some things that I haven't told him about myself as well. I looked down at my bare calf. Sigh. While I was unconscious I had some unwanted memories return to me. I shivered as I remembered the treatment I faced in the Lutious household. And the unspoken action that I had done.

"Cherura!"

I looked to the door to see a worried Varkish. His hair ruffled as if he had just woken up. In fact he still wore his sleepwear. I stifled my laughter.

Varkish crossed the room in several strides and placed his hands on the sides of my face.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded as I watched Varkish calm down.

"I almost thought that I was going to lose you when I saw you fall down like that."

I pulled Varkish's hands off my face and held them in mine. I then freed one of my hands and flicked his forehead. He stepped back in shock as I smiled.

"I, the great Cherura Lutious will not let a simple poison kill me."

Varkish nodded and rubbed the area that I flicked.

"Ugh. Cherura I'm no longer a kid yet that still stings like a bitch."

"Watch your language, Varkish."

"Whatever."

Varkish then handed me a small red vial.

"What is this Varkish?"

He looked at me and answered.

"It's an antidote to the poison. Edola crafted it herself. You don't have to push yourself- Hey! It wasn't even tested beforehand!"

After a couple of minutes I felt the effects of the poison slip away. My dizziness subsided and my headache disappeared. I was also capable of walking once more. Truly amazing. The same person capable of making such a deadly poison could also make such an effective antidote.

"Varkish, take me to see Edola."

Varkish shook his head.

"Why not?"

"Are you kidding me Cherura? Did you forget that she had just tried to poison you to death?!"

"Yes but if she truly wanted to kill me she would refuse the proposal of making me an antidote. She just wanted me to feel terrible but not die."

"How can you be so sure Cherura."

"Varkish."

I watched him step back as he met my menacing gaze. I smiled as I emotionlessly answered.

"I know because if I wanted to kill Edola she wouldn't have even stepped foot in the castle. So if she wanted to truly kill me, I wouldn't be talking to you here right now. Instead I would be in the bottomless pit of hell paying for my sins."

Varkish gulped and nodded. He then turned on his heel and said.

"Follow me."

I followed him out of the room and into the corridor. Stocks alit with fire lightened the dark tunnel like hallways.

"Varkish?"

"Yeah Cherura?"

"How long was I unconscious?"

"Seven nights and eight mornings."

Oh my. I clenched my fists. I have wasted too much time here. But on the bright side I have gained a worthy ally. I smiled in the darkness. I am one step closer to my goal!

I turned as I felt a hand on my back. Golden eyes gleamed like gold in the darkness. Hmph. Why is Cerebrius so clingy? Could it be that he is a spy for the vulture clan but is merely feigning this alliance?

"We're here."

Varkish's voice woke me from my thoughts. I turned to see iron bars. Behind them was Edola dressed in a simple cloth gown. Her hands and feet were tied. She looked at me with eyes full of hatred.

My gods get over it! It's not like I dated the man. I kneeled in front of the cell and extended my hand through the bars.

"Edola, would you agree to an alliance with the fox clan, elephant clan, and vulture clan?"

Despite her look of distaste she opened her mouth and stated.

"Yes. But on one condition."

Condition? Did she think that we weren't going to release her?

"What is the condition."

Edola smirked and replied with a twisted smile.

"Apologize to me for stealing my man and promise me that you would enter him into the alliance."

I burst out in laughter. Varkish and Cerebrius looked at me with faces of awe.

"I apologize Edola. And don't worry I wanted the peacock clan to join anyways. But I must warn you. If you were to breach this contract I will personally take that pretty head of yours. Do you understand?"

She laughed as well before nodding.

"I accept."

Varkish ordered the guards to untie Edola and release her. As soon as she exited the iron bars I slapped her cheek. She looked at me in shock as she spit blood.

"I'm sorry Edola but that's a small price to pay for the poison earlier don't you agree?"

Edola wiped her mouth on her sleeve and smiled.

"I understand."

"The next tome that you poison me I will haunt you as a ghost and curse your whole clan. Do you understand?"

Edola, Varkish, and Cerebrius chuckled. Edola nodded and shook my hand.

"I can't wait to hear about the reason to your sudden plan of unification Cherura."

"Be patient Edola. It is a plan that requires bloodshed and strength. Are you still willing to accompany me as an ally?"

Edola hugged me and answered.

"I will accompany you Cherura Lutious. Don't fail to amuse me!"

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Thank you so much for reading my luvs❤️ I will try to update twice a day now😷😍