Page 21 of Draekora

“Go on then, Prince,” Niyx said lazily, lounging back onto his pallet. “Ask your question.”

Roka didn’t need to be asked twice, clearly desiring to leave.

“Aven’s goal, we know, is to take the throne of Meya so that he’ll have ruling control over the citizens and theZeltora, which he will then use to wipe out the human race of Medora,” Roka said, painting a very bleak picture in Alex’s mind. “We know he’s been seeking out anyGarsethwho evaded capture and remained loyal to him all these years, meeting with them in secret to devise a plan to infiltrate the palace and finish what he started millennia ago.”

“Was there a question in there somewhere?” Niyx asked dryly. “Because I must have missed it while you soliloquised me to a wakeful death.”

Roka took an angry step forward, but Alex placed her hand on his arm, holding him back.

Accepting her hint to not let Niyx get to him, Roka inhaled deeply and said, “I want you to tell me the name of one of thoseGarsethloyal to him, one whom he has sought out upon his return. That is what I ask of you. To give up one of your own.”

Niyx’s relaxed demeanour didn’t change, but his eyes flashed. “I’m flattered that you think me capable of such knowledge, given my… unique circumstances.” He looked pointedly around the cell.

“Don’t try to fool me, Niyx. You and I both know you have an answer.”

Alex hoped Roka knew what he was doing. She would have been more inclined to ask what Aven’s strategy was, or better yet, when he planned on carrying it out. Did Rokawantto be looking over his shoulder every moment for his brother’s impending attack? She didn’t understand how knowing a randomGarseth’s name would help their cause. Unless of course Roka was able to use it to follow the trail directly to Aven… in which case, it actually made sense.

“One name,” Roka said again. “I’m certain you know many; just give me one and our bargain will be fulfilled.”

When the prisoner remained silent, the prince barked out, “Answer me!”

“Very well,kregon,” Niyx said, his voice low. “I will answer you.” He leaned forward from his seated position and held Roka’s gaze. “No.”

Sensing the need to intervene before Roka lost his patience entirely, Alex jumped in. “What do you mean, no?”

“No means no, mortal,” Niyx repeated, leaning back again, his face smug. “In any language or race.”

She frowned at him. “But we had a deal.”

“I said I would answer one question,” Niyx replied. “An answer is, by definition, a response. The response I gave was ‘no’… Ergo, your question has been answered.”

This time Alex didn’t keep Roka from hauling Niyx up and slamming him into the crystalline wall.

The Meyarin prisoner laughed darkly. “You’re off your game, Roka. Better luck next time.”

Alex closed her eyes tightly in resignation and then moved forward, reaching out for the prince. “Let him go. He’s not going to help us.”

Roka hesitated, his grip still firmly grasping Niyx’s shoulders, but when Alex squeezed his arm he gave a terse nod and released the prisoner, taking two steps back.

“You’re right,” Roka said to her. “This was a waste of time.”

Not sparing Niyx a second glance, Roka spun around and marched back towards the door, all but dragging Alex along behind him. She glanced over her shoulder one last time just before they exited the dark room and found the prisoner smirking at her.

“I’ll see you soon, my mortal friend,” he called after her with a secretive, knowing smile. “But not as soon as you’ll see me.”

“He’s crazy,” Alex said when she and Roka were travelling back to the palace on theValispath. “Like, certifiably.”

“I’m sorry I put you through that,” Roka said, and he truly did look sorry. “I really thought… Well, it doesn’t matter now.”

“Hey,” Alex said, her tone comforting. “Don’t worry about it. It was worth a shot, right?”

“I should have expected he would never hold up his end of the bargain,” Roka said, clearly unwilling to let go of his ire so quickly. “I never should have left you alone with him.”

Alex held her arms out to her sides to show that she was none the worse for wear. “I’m still here and in one piece. That’s all that matters.” She decided it was best not to mention Niyx’s ‘life for a life’ comment, just in case Roka decided to turn around and exact retribution for the prisoner’s implied death threat.

“What did he want with you, anyway?” Roka asked.

Alex looked off into the distance, allowing the sight of the glimmering waterfalls floating down from the Golden Cliffs to soothe the ragged edges of her nerves.

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