Chapter 47: THE BLACK BOOK

I have hidden this book for as long as I could remember, and today it is finally going to be of value to me. Just like everyone worships and revolves around the stone of light, they have forgotten the dark stone, which has been hidden for centuries, but with this book, I can literally do anything and find the dark stone.

It is called the Black Book for a reason, but first I need to pay my mother a visit. I need to tell her to embrace her stone while it lasts, because once I find the black stone, she will be no match for me.

I would lie if I said I wasn't scared that the stone of light would reject me, and here I am. That was the only reason why I wanted to eliminate Siofra when she was still a baby, so that I could be the only choice.

But I let my mother fill my head with dreams that were impossible. I let her words get to me, and look where that led me. But I'm still glad I prepared for this in the back of my mind. Eliminating Siofra would have been easy if not for that old granny queen.

I have been away from the palace for two days just to get things ready for my next step. When I rode into the palace, I noticed how empty it was.

It seems my mother is still looking for her precious daughter, who was chosen by the stones of light. Siofra might be able to absorb the powers of three stones, but those three stones combined together are not going to be enough to stop me.

I climbed off my horse as I led him to the stable before going straight to my mother’s throne room. Soon, other queens of other kingdoms will be summoned to help find the new chosen queen, not knowing that she is locked in a bottle somewhere in my layers.

When I walked into the throne room, I found it empty. I was pissed as I stormed out of the room and headed to her chamber. I need to give her a piece of my mind before I leave.

But to my surprise, she was lying on her bed, getting a skincare massage. Is she kidding me? I thought she would be freaked out because her daughter is missing, but she is overlooking it.

“On my God, Alma, where have you been? You had me worried sick,” she said as she ordered the servants out.

“Leave us alone,” she said to them as they all left. Sometimes I wonder if she is obsessed with me or something. How can she be more worried about me than her own daughter?

“I have been out in the world seeking my own way since you failed me.” I said to her, and she walked to me.

“Alma, you and I know that I can't make those decisions that anger your heart. If I could give you my stone to make you the next queen of Álfheimr, I would do it a million times because I know you and I trained you.”

“Enough with those lies, mother; I have been your puppet for as long as I could remember. I did everything you told me to; I fucking sacrificed my own happiness just to get here, but look where that landed me.” I couldn't hide the anger anymore.

“Why are you sounding like it's my fault that the stones picked your sister over you?” She said, and that fuelled my anger.

"Oh, wait, it's my fault, right? When you filled my head with dreams, when you made me stay up all night studying and learning what I needed to know about ruling Álfheimr, you didn't remember to say that the stone might reject me!.

But now you look me in the face and tell me it was my fault!!” I cried out in anger.

“Alma I understand you are angry, but we need to find your sister first. I have had the guards search almost the entire Álfheimr, but we couldn't find her.”

“Finding Siofra should be your problem and not mine. As for me, I'm off to make you proud, mother, just like you have always thought of me.”

"Alma, what do you mean by that?”

“I will show you and the whole Álfheimr a better queen than I can be, so sit tight and look forward to it,” I said to her as I turned my back on her before heading out the door. I heard her call out my name, but I ignored her.

It's time to go find my stone, a stone that will accept me without judging how good or bad I would be as a ruler. A stone that is willing to bless me with great powers.

I angrily marched towards the stable to get my horse, and once I had done that, I rode off into the woods. Let's see what Siofra has to say about the two of us fighting over the throne with our newly acquired power.

I hope that stupid elf witch has found the stones already. I need to distroy them to make Siofra more powerless and to bow at my feet. But what matters is obtaining the dark stone and its powers. Once that is done, I can absorb whatever power I want from anyone.

I arrived at my hidden cabin as I scanned around the area to make sure I wasn't being followed. Once I saw that the coast was clear, I went in, leaving my horse behind.

The first thing I saw on the floor were the broken bottles. Impossible. How was she able to break that bottle with the spell surrounding it, except the witch gave me the wrong spell? I couldn't help groaning in anger as I rushed outside.

She wouldn't have gone so far, and her chances of surviving out there are zero. She is either dead or has already possessed an elf body, but both are hopeless.

There is only one way to find out if she is dead or alive, and that is by visiting her body, which is with the witch. I wasted no time as I rode into the woods deep outside of Álfheimr, where a witch hut sat lonely in the woods.

I barged in and met the witch sitting next to the fire, chanting a spell, but that wasn't my problem; I needed answers right now.

“I'm sure those chanting can wait; I need answers.”

“What can I do to help you with your highness?” She asked, her eyes still closed, like she was still chanting her spell.

“My sister is gone; I mean, Siofra is no longer in that bottle, and that wasn't the plan. I paid you a lot of money to use the best spell to hold her in.

“You are the one who wanted to put her in a bottle. What do bottles do when they fall and hit the ground?” She asked, but that increased my anger.

“They shatter; what else will a bottle do? Are you that stupid?”

“Mind the way you talk to me; you are just a child, and just because you paid me to work for you doesn't make me your slave. Your princess is still alive but no longer a part of this world.” She said that, and that left me more confused.

“What the heck do you mean by that? How can she be alive but yet not a part of this world?”

“That's all I know, but she is still very much alive.”

“If she is not a part of this world, then where the heck is she?” I asked the question more to myself than to the witch.

“Like I said, I don't know, but I know someone who possesses enough power to get you your answers.”

“Who?” 

“Almaruda, the source of my powers, is the great god of the sea. Her power is enough to absorb all powers.” Her last statement caught my attention.

“Is that so? Can she really absorb any powers?”

“Yes, more than you can think. She is powerful enough to absorb or turn the stone of light into evil. Maybe that's why she was kept and locked in the sea because of the dangers she poses to all elf kingdoms.”

“Then we need to find the dark stone if we must meet this Almaruda. I will set her free with the powers of the stone, and then together we will be unstoppable.”

“But the black stone has been lost for centuries; how are you going to find it?”

“Whoever said anything about finding it, I will let it find me, but first we need to go to a nice spot where the stone will notice my yelling for it. Álfheimr doesn't know what's coming their way, but I will call it a gift.” I smiled creepily as I headed for the door while the witch followed.

Xender's POV

"Dad, this is insane; you can't have me married to someone I'm not even in love with.”

“That is your own cup of tea, son. You are no longer a baby; get yourself a wife or even a girlfriend, or I will be forced to do it for you.”

"Fine, I will do that, but you need to stop setting up a blind date or trying to pair me with your friends daughters.” I said to him:.

“Good, bring the lady you are dating home so we can have dinner, and make sure you have proposed to her so we can start planning your wedding.” This is insane. How on earth will I meet a girl and engage her immediately without even getting to know her?

I looked at my mum, who has been sitting quietly besides my father the whole time, for help, but she just looked away, indicating I was in on this one alone.

How do I get past this? Then it crossed my mind that I have Alda, but how do I convince her to marry me? If she is going to continue staying here in New York, then she needs a new identity. 

“Fine, I will get back to you on this.”

“Good son, I can't wait to meet her in a week.” He said he was smiling at me, but I could tell that that smile meant trouble. In a week, can I even convince Alda on this? She has not even talked to anyone lately. She just stays in her room all day, sitting by the window and staring out blankly.

“Okay, I need to get going. I will inform you when I decide on the date that will be convenient for me.”

“Convenient? The date has been fixed already; on Friday, Xender, it's on Friday, or you are going on a date with Judith Winston. Did I even tell you that she is a great fashion designer who would love to collaborate with your computer one day?” I sighed and shook my head helplessly.

"Bye, Dad, Mum. I'm leaving.”

"Xender, wait, can I talk to you in private?” I just wanted to leave there at once, but I could never say no to my mum.

"Matthew, leave. I want to talk to your son alone,” my mum said as my dad got up and walked to me.

"Remember, Xender, we are family, and we do what's best for you.” He said that and left.

"Xender, have your seat.” I did as she asked.

“I know you are angry that your dad is meddling with your love life, but we are worried, and that is our job as your parents. You are supposed to be thinking about starting a family, but you don't even have a girlfriend, Xender. Or is there something you are not telling us?” She asked, looking suspiciously at me.

“Like what?” Confusedly asked.

“Are you gay?” My ways widened in shock.

“Mum, why would you even think that?” I unbelievablely asked. I have never given them any reason to think I'm gay.

“Because you don't date Xender, you don't even look a bit interested in any girl. If not for the fact that you have female employees, you wouldn't even remember the last time you spoke to a lady.”

“Mum, I have dated someone before.”

“You mean Tessa, the girl from high school.” She said she was staring at me weirdly.

“I was busy; work kept me busy, and most girls wanted to date me for their own benefit.”

“And how did you know that if you wouldn't give them a chance? I'm just saying your father is right this time around. I won't stop him like I used to, so get yourself a girl, or I will let your father do it for you.”

I thanked my mum and left to meet Charles, who was waiting for me in the car. I told him to go home, but he insisted on staying over at my place tonight, and I'm supposed to take Alda home today.

“Wow, that was quick.”

“Yeah, but it was intense.”

“What happened? Did your dad say anything about the company?”

“No, but he did say he wants grandchildren, and so did my mum.”

“Ha ha ha ha, sorry dude, I didn't mean to laugh, but I hope your parents are aware that you haven't dated anyone since courage.”

“Yeah, and my mum actually thought I was gay.” Charles laughter filled the car as it rang in my ears.

“That was really intense, dude, but what are you going to do now?”

“I'm going to ask someone to marry me; let's just hope she says yes.”

“Wait, you have a girlfriend?”

“Let's just go; I will explain more later.”