Chapter 17: Bom's POV – The Price of Chicken
After I dramatically pointed to my gorgeous immortal face, the queen's knight blinked and asked, "So... you'll go into the Forbidden Woods and save Queen Zare? That's... very kind of you, Doctor Bom."
I smiled sweetly. "Yes, yes, I will. But you'll have to pay me."
Regis exploded. "I ALREADY gave you a mountain of gold, Bom!"
Zare's knight, panicking, said, "We'll give you anything you want. Just save her!"
I nodded. "Perfect. Then when I return, I want a royal feast. A full table of food. Mostly... chicken."
The knight blinked. "Wait—what?"
Faye groaned. "Not the chicken obsession again..."
I pointed at her like she said something revolutionary. "Exactly. Chicken. And—one more thing."
The knight hesitated. "And?"
I gave him my most serious look. "A statue of me. Glorious. Life-sized. Handsome. Accurate."
The knight blinked harder.
Regis stormed up to me. "She's DYING and you're demanding drumsticks and marble?"
I stuck out my tongue. "I don't work for free."
The knight nodded slowly. "...Alright. Statue. Chicken. Deal."
I clapped my hands. "Fabulous! But you're getting two immortals for the price of one."
I threw an arm around Faye's shoulder. "She's coming too."
Faye shoved me away. "NOPE. I'm not going anywhere near that cursed forest!"
Regis pulled her into a protective hug. "She's not going, Bom. It's too dangerous."
"She's immortal!" I snapped. "And I need help! Even immortals can die in the Forbidden Woods if we go in alone!"
Regis glared. "Take Bob."
I stared at him like he lost his mind. "Bob?! He'll die in two minutes."
Bob gasped. "TWO MINUTES only ?!"
As we argued, Faye groaned and clutched her head.
Then she collapsed.
Regis dropped to his knees beside her. "Babe? Faye? Are you okay?!"
Bob casually took ten steps back. He knew what was coming.
And it came.
Faye's body tensed. Her hair bleached white. Her eyes turned blood-red. Her voice became a monstrous growl.
She lunged straight for Regis.
Regis screamed like a dying goose.
I laughed. I couldn't help it. Then I calmly trapped Faye inside the nearest closet and slammed the door shut. Click. Locked.
I handed the key to Hector. "Open it when she's Faye again."
Regis yelled from the floor, "Why did she transform?! She ATE this morning!"
"Stress," I shrugged. "I told her she's coming with me. It triggered her."
"WHY would you stress her?!"
I rolled my eyes. "Because I need help ."
Clavis raised a hand. "I'll go. I'll help you save Queen Zare. Even if it costs me my life."
Regis nodded. "Clavis is in. Hector stays with me to protect Faye. So… Bom, take Bob too."
I grinned. "Great. More company."
Bob screamed, "NO. I am not risking my life! I'm too young. And too pretty."
I patted his head. "Don't worry. You're neither."
"TRAITOR , i will not go with you !" Bob shouted.
—
Fifteen minutes later...
We were standing in front of the dark, misty outline of the Forbidden Woods.
Me. Clavis. Bob.
Bob was crying by the way ...
Let the suicidal mission begin.