The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 82: The Nature Of The Poison ()

The wheels turned in Zariah’s head as she tried to come up with a solution, no matter how Zariah thought of it, no matter what choice she made at this moment, someone would have to be sacrificed.

If Zariah admitted to the flame poison, the merfolk would never believe she had not been the one to cast it, only a fellow Crimson Wolf could determine the flame poison had not been cast by Zariah’s blood. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

As for everyone else, the flame poison was the flame poison, they did not have the insight to distinguish which flame wolf had cast it exactly.

The Sea King would rage, the Ethereal Domain would be dragged into it by association, all cordial relations would crash and the impending war could no longer be prevented.

Kristen would be taken out of Nile’s care and the merfolk would never reconcile themselves to the fact that Nile was the only one who could save Kristen... which ultimately meant, Kristen would die.

Zariah also considered revealing her true identity,

As Crimson Alpha, there was one solid proof that the flame poison currently flowing through Kristen’s blood stream was not of her blood,

And that was the fact that within Zariah’s blood flowed the rarest flames, the flames of the Creator himself, the Crimson Flames,

Had the poison come from Zariah’s blood, not to mention 20hours, Kristen would have been reduced to ash immediately it came in contact with his blood stream.

Yet Zariah knew revealing her identity would have it’s repercussions, the Sea Kingdom would be infuriated by the deception, as would the Ethereal Domain and all her plans would be ruined.

Now if Zariah chose to mislead the merfolk to stall for time, then ultimately, Kristen who needed the antidote administered in less than twenty hours would have to be sacrificed.

Zariah could not allow Kristen to fall in the hands of another oracle asides Nile or die, not when the only lead to her captured wolves lay within his bloodstream and his words were perhaps the only thing that could clear her of guilt.

There were no safe methods out of the current predicament, what Zariah knew for sure was the fact that she had sworn to protect her pack in this lifetime...

As long as she could, not even one of them could be harmed.

Zariah needed to trace the source of that flame poison and to do that, Kristen had to live.

But there was only one way Kristen could live long enough to find the antidote and that was to fight fire with fire... poison with poison.

As Zariah hesitated to make a decision, her eyes caught something peaking out from Kristen’s left wrist,

Zariah reached out, pulling up the sleeve whilst knowing her position would block the other occupants of the room from seeing the strange marking on Kristen’s wrist,

Zariah’s eyes narrowed slightly as she recognized the marking, a much smaller replica of the strange drawing... the very reason she had come to the Sea Kingdom in the first place.

The marking was visible for only a moment before it vanished again but Zariah had already seen clearly enough.

Zariah lifted her gaze to Nile knowing he had seen it too, his eyes were equally narrowed and there was a complicated expression in them.

’Alpha...what does this mean?’ Nile thought to Zariah.

’I do not know, but if there is one thing for sure, it is the fact that we must find it out. If I guess correctly, the Sea Kingdom is already compromised and the merman is our only lead. He cannot remain here...’ Zariah thought back to Nile,

Whoever had harmed Kristen wanted Zariah pinned to it, that was for sure, but what was also sure was the fact that they equally had another target they wanted dead... and that was Kristen himself.

For whatever reason Kristen was harmed, it had happened in his own quarters, which meant whoever had done it was familiar with the Sea Palace and knew exactly where to go,

This also meant Kristen was a doomed to death and if this attempt failed, whoever had done it would return again.

Zariah could not sanction an investigation within the Sea Kingdom, the merfolk would never be willing to turn against one another during such perilous times.

The fact that they had immediately believed Zariah’s guilt only proved they were only willing to believe one of theirs could only have been harmed by an outsider.

If Zariah brought up her suspicion, then she would be said to be casting stones.

There was no justification, no safe way out, no right path to take...but if someone had to be sacrificed, then since Zariah was already here, she would never let it be anyone else.

There was only one method to save Kristen and ensure the Ethereal Domain and the Merfolk did not have a falling out.

"Have you found anything yet?" Prince Treyton inquired worriedly since neither Zariah nor Nile had spoken for a long while.

’Nile...I will have to burden you.’ Zariah thought to Nile as she came to her decision.

’What are you going to do Zari?’ Nile thought back, his gaze narrowed in concern.

’Something... dangerous.’ Zariah replied back,

’Alpha! You can’t endanger yourself! How am I to explain to the pack?!’ Nile exclaimed in panic.

’This is the only method I can think of right now, do you trust me?’ Zariah asked

’With my life.’ Nile replied without hesitation.

’And do you trust in my will to protect my people? No matter the cost?’ Zariah asked again,

’You are Crimson Alpha, your honor is unquestionable.’ Nile replied,

’Then you must know that I understand the importance of my life to my people and so I will protect my life.’ Zariah assured the spirit guide.

’I trust in all that you are, My Alpha. Give me your command, whatever it is, I will abide by your will even to my death.’ Nile replied firmly.

’I will take a risk...but to do that, I need you to take Kristen away.’ Zariah said,

’You ask me to leave your side?’ Nile thought to Zariah in panic.

’Yes Nile, on my signal...you will leave, there is no time, you will receive further orders once you are beyond the Sky Bubble.’ Zariah said urgently,

Nile hesitated to respond for a moment before he finally inclined his head in a small bow.

’As Alpha commands.’ Nile replied,

Zariah heaved a sigh of relief as she stood up straight and slowly turned to face the other occupants of the room.

"What is the nature of the poison? How can it be cured?" The Sea King asked and Zariah tilted her head to the side.

"The poison in the merman’s bloodstream is indeed from above the surface, it’s nature is unique... I’m afraid, it is not a poison your Sea Oracle can cure." Zariah replied in a casual tone,

"What exactly do you mean?! Didn’t you promise that your oracle would save him?!" Princess Shariah roared,

"Watch your tone!" King Askel warned,

"Promise? I guess I did. But this is a rather complicated situation, the poison in Kristen’s blood stream is rare and malicious... those who know of it have named it the flame poison." Zariah relayed,

"The flame poison? Where have I heard of this before?" The Sea Oracle murmured thoughtfully,

"Your Sea Oracle is knowledgeable, it will take him a time to recall exactly, in which case, I will explain it to you."

"The flame poison is deadly, scorching the victims organs one after the other, it burns from inside out, leaving the victim with no chance of survival." Zariah began,

"Such an evil poison!" Prince Treyton exclaimed,

"Tell me Lady Zariah, tell me you can save him..." Prince Treyton pleaded,

"Perhaps you might want to hear me out completely, who knows? You may think differently when you hear the rest of it." Zariah replied in a blank tone.

"Speak... what is the solution? Where can we find the antidote?" The Sea King asked.

’Alpha...are you sure about this? By telling them of it’s origin, they are sure to apprehend you.’ Nile thought to Zariah in apprehension.

’Yes Nile, as they should...’ Zariah thought back,

"Mhíjani...you do not need to say anymore" King Askel spoke up suddenly,

Zariah spared a glance to him, his golden orbs glowed with suspicion and Zariah was not even surprised King Askel had sensed something was off with her.

The mate bond had grown stronger in just these few days, King Askel was slowly beginning to see through her facade.

Zariah diverted her gaze from him, ignoring his words as she continued speaking.

"First let me tell you just why this poison is so unique... this flame poison is infact not a poison at all but blood." Zariah revealed,

"Blood?" Prince Treyton asked in bafflement.

"Yes, blood... the blood of a flame wolf." Zariah said,

And just like that, it only took a heartbeat for pandemonium to break out...