Pollyanna was scheming.

She had to figure out a way to get rid of Kori so that her charge could rebuild the Arrozan line, and her own survival could be ensured. If she killed the waif now, she would be going against Eory’s orders “I order you not to kill Kori.” Which would cause her own death, as refusing orders from the Arrozans always did.

On foot, it would take them four more days to get to the castle instead of three, which would leave them only one day to get to the ball on time. Pollyanna had to stop that from happening, as she knew the ball must be some kind of trap.

She walked a few paces ahead of both Eory and Kori, glancing back at them to make sure they were still there. Kori protectively gripped Eory’s arm, whispering at him to stay close to her.

When Pollyanna looked back, Eory would be looking at her with eyes that were very either fearful, or, at other times… worshipful. She wondered just what the waif had told him about her.

She recalled his messy room with dozens of drawings of herself strewn about. Whatever the waif told him, it had caused him to revere her.

But why would she tell him things about me to make him revere me? Why didn’t she teach him to revile me like she undoubtedly did his own family?

Pollyanna called to the pair who were lagging behind her, “Come here, Eory—no, just Eory. You stay back there, waif.”

Eory gulped fearfully and, with Kori protesting, caught up to Pollyanna’s side, saying with his voice barely above a whisper, “Um… You have an arrow sticking out of your shoulder.”

Pollyanna glanced at her shoulder.

“Oh.” She said, yanking it out of her shoulder.

Eory had many things he wanted to tell her, but he didn’t know how to say them.

She’s gorgeous and graceful. Terrifying and protective. He looked up at her and did not see the things other people saw when they looked at her; where they saw a mass of ugly wrinkles and wild, unkempt gray hair; Eory saw clear, blue eyes, soft, luscious brown skin, and a gorgeous, silvery mane.

Eory gnawed his arm as he walked alongside her.

Pollyanna turned her nose up at the familiar disgusting behavior displayed by almost every single one of his family members who she had known. Judging by how far his teeth were digging into his arm, he was incredibly nervous.

“Why are you so nervous?” Pollyanna asked.

Your hair is like liquid silver… Eory wanted to tell her but the words would not come out. “Well… You are holding me and Kori captive.”

Pollyanna took a deep breath as she walked, keeping her eyes on the road. “Eory, I am on your side and your side only. That woman does not have your best interests at heart. Give me the word and I’ll get you away from both her and the king. I’ll find you a place where you can recuperate and rebuild an army of your own to retake the throne.”

Eory looked at her intently. He wanted to say “yes.” just to impress her; he wished he knew how to impress her in general, but Kori never told him anything about love, and he didn’t know how to make her like him.

He couldn’t say “yes.” anyway. He loved Kori too much, and wanted to be good more than anything. “I’m sorry, Pollyanna. I want to go to the ball and show everyone I’m good so that I can be set free. I order you to come along and support me in that goal.”

Pollyanna growled, taking him by the shoulders. “Listen to me! There is no good and evil in this world! There are only the strong and the weak, and those who devour both! Your family devoured both—they are the ones you want to aspire to. In order to do so, you must run far, far away from Maribel.”

Eory shrank from her powerful gaze, blushing at her firm touch. His knees shook--from both love and nervousness-- and, suddenly, he was back to being in his tower--with no control over anything--just melting under her judgmental gaze.

You fool. You own her. She can’t tell us what to do. Taylor reminded him.

Eory cleared his throat and stood up straight. “You will obey my orders, Pollyanna! You will not harm Kori, nor me, nor anyone at the ball!”

Pollyanna stared him down for a long, silent moment. He stared back. She was surprised by his determination and bravery, despite appearances.

She turned around, continuing along the path after that moment without a word.

So you’re weak, then. She thought to herself.