Page 8 of Royal Lies

I bit down on my lower lip, well it does explain why I could do more magic than others. But how exactly does one's life energy or magic grow? I moved ready to stir Eli awake to answer my questions.

Screw feeding his pride and one-upping him! I needed my answers!

But then I remembered the demon I'd summoned the last time I woke him. I mean those eyes, it was like he was striking me down with his lightning sapphire thunderbolts. The way he had glared at me. I am by no means a coward but let's just say I am not poking that bear again. Then again wouldn't answers be worth the risk? I can just say it was his turn to stand guard. I looked over at the crescent moon. High in the sky, shining the brightest amongst the millions of stars. A pale white globe against the midnight blue sky. No, he'll know. The moons barely moved since I took the position. One look up and he'd know I was just saying it so he could take my place. It wouldn't be a lie that it was his turn if he actually took the position.

I closed my eyes, sighing.

Well, I guess I can try and find the answers in this book.

I picked up the skin leather book just as a small note slipped out. Unfolding the piece of paper I noted nothing on it.

What the?

I was about to toss it aside if it hadn't been for the worn-out angles of the paper. Not to mention its small tanned skin. It was old, and from the feel of the rubbery texture, it was very old. But why was it kept for so long if it had nothing on it, and why hidden in the pages of the book? Could it be that it was just left in this book?

Examining the paper again I noticed the folded and unfolded wrinkles on the paper, "A hidden spell?"

I tried examining the paper again. Maybe this time I could find a crack or something hidden within its surface. I sighed, shaking my head, no I'm such an idiot it's spelled so maybe there is some key to it. The key, a magic counterspell, or something. Ok, so the words are spelled to be covered, like how a mask covers a face.

I wonder.....

I flipped through the journal remembering that in the few pages I'd read, there was something about unraveling a meaning or truth behind a lie. Well if one was masking something it's the same as covering something with a lie right? So in theory telling the truth would bring it to the surface, right? Or at least I hope so.

Hey! I am doing the best I can with what I have so, don't judge.

Ah, here it is. "A tergo vela detege. Illumina tenebras et veritas revelari sinas." I beamed, staring at the paper to see if anything was appearing on the wrinkle-aged paper. Nothing. Hmm. I wonder.

Maybe instead of just saying shadows I should try mask instead? Also, if Eli didn't need to speak his spell to cast it then maybe I don't either. I thought about recalling his silencing spell on me and how he might have done it. Perhaps chanting it in my head and picturing how it would work out? Cause he definitely didn't say anything.

"A tergo vela detege. Illuminare verbis larvatis et veritatem revelari permittas." I thought, closing my eyes and hovering my fingers over the empty paper. I peeked open one eye but nothing. I sighed ready to try something else when suddenly the words started carving themselves onto the page. Letter and after letter etched themselves onto the leather-like skin pages. Starting from the edges of the book to the center. Almost like a circle.

I smiled widely as I looked over towards Eli to boast about my triumph. Fuck, he was still asleep. But this was so much more important than sleep. Plus the sky was glowing a tint of orange against the midnight blue. Huh, who knew the time had passed so quickly? I swore the moon was still right above the skies when I checked last time. Had I really been reading this book for so long?

"Eli, wake up! Look at what I just found!" Thrusting the wrinkled paper I just uncovered in front of him partially in hopes that he wouldn't be angry with me for waking him if he found out that I had discovered something great, then again I wouldn't know if it was. I didn't even look at it yet.

Shit, maybe I should have looked at it before shoving it at his face. Who knows it could just be a secret recipe for scones.

"What the, it's a map." Eli marveled, sitting up and taking the paper from me as I stared at him befuddled at his sudden curiosity. "Really?" I asked, scrunching up my nose before realizing my mistake.

"I mean ya I found a map," I smiled, beaming over at his scowling face as if I totally knew what I was showing him.

Rolling his eyes no doubt having caught my false confidence because I didn't even know it was a map until he said it was.

But wait, a map to what?

Looking over Eli's shoulder I stared down at the map. "Quinque gemmis regni absconditi" It read before several snake lines spread through the map with one small dot centered at thecorner of one end. Eli frowned before taking out his own map. "The Five Gems of the Hidden Kingdom?" I read blinking in wonder.

What the hell did that mean?

I peered over at Eli who was now fully awake I realized.

Aaandd~ he's not mad! Yay!

He was moving like a madman on a hunt. Placing his map on the ground, and setting the new one atop it he suddenly shouted "Aha!" Eli exclaimed as he moved, allowing me to spot the alignment of his paper and the map.

"Finally! Fucking finally! I finally found them." Eli acclaimed his hands thrust in the air in celebration, smiling like a madman as I took a small step backward from his maddening haze.

"Ok? What are the five gems? And what's the hidden kingdom?" I asked my voice, hesitant and squeaking just a little at the end.

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