Previously...

"Yeah," Zuber said and left to his room, his heart fluttering wildly. I almost kissed her!

Kyrah began humming to herself. Her mood had dramatically shifted from jealousy to anger to irritation and to shyness. Her heart had produced so many different emotions just for a particular person. She just couldn't believe how one person could bring out so many shades of her personality.

"He is special to you!" her subconscious spoke to her, to which she totally agreed.

She was in a good mood. The fight between them was over. She felt very relieved. Yet, a part of what he had said kept nagging in her mind, "It's a long story, I will explain everything to you, I promise..."

He had then crushed her into a hug and she couldn't even see his face. She wanted to know his expression. What his glassy blue eyes portrayed and meant, she wanted to know everything behind those words.

She sighed deeply. I guess I should wait for his explanation.

She was bored. Zuber had gone to sleep long back. She was worried about him. She had never seen him getting sick before. This was the first time and she couldn't point out the reason.

It's like this after Jeanette came here, she thought uneasily. She stole a quick glance at Jeanette, who was running her hand through her hair, untangling them roughly.

She seemed clearly agitated and restless. She looked ghostly, her skin paler than usual. Her green eyes stood out looking dull and tired; her dark circles more prominent. There wasn't any sparkle in them. She didn't sleep well, Kyrah could guess.

She wanted to go and ask what was bothering her, but she decided against it.

Her eyes fell upon some books, which Zuber had shown her a few days back. She shrugged and picked up one with a sparkly gold cover. It seemed pretty new. Somehow, the book slipped from her palms and landed open on the floor. The noise startled Jeanette who gasped sharply.

"Sorry," Kyrah apologized, to which Jeanette merely nodded. She sighed and picked the book once again.

"The Legend of the Lost Naag Mani," she read out the title written in gold which was embossed on the crisp dark-brown page.

A picture of a muddy brown snake was printed at the right side. It was curled upon itself and a gem sparkled on top of its head.

"Pretty interesting," she spoke softly. She traced the gem with her finger. She could swear it looked so real. She got lost in its brilliant glow, mesmerized by its shape. She felt drawn towards the transparent gem.

Her eyes started stinging once again, the blue in them slowly changing to a blood-red. A fact that she was unaware of.

Unaware of the serpent within her.

Unaware that her serpent wanted to release.

Unaware that it identified with what was its own.

Unaware that the gem was so powerful.

Unaware that her uncle wanted her just to get the gem.

She felt the stinging after a minute later and rubbed her eyes momentarily. The burning ceased and she focussed once again on the book that was laid on her lap.

She furrowed her eyebrows and squeezed her eyes to read what was written. She could make out that it was a poem as the lines were short and aligned in stanzas. She couldn't understand what was written as the letters were minuscule.

She struggled to read once again, adamant on knowing what was written as it intrigued her.

The familiar stinging began, leaving her eyes quickly transformed into two blazing rubies. She frowned and touched her eyelids. Heat radiated off from them like waves. What's wrong with my eyes? Am I infected?" 

She had a good mind to get up and look at herself in the mirror. But the text, crystal-clear this time, caught her attention.

The text looked as if it had been written out of real gold. It shone magnificently against the dark-brown page. As she could see clearly now, her eyes reverted back to their original color.

She placed a finger on the first line and started reading with utmost concentration.

⛤
A time will come
When a soul so pure
Will drive away the darkness
Once and for all
⛤
She will open the gate
Of the powerful cave
To find the long lost gem
Hidden away from human realm
⛤
Resting there for a thousand years
The Naag Mani beckons her
And will awaken its mighty power
By the gentle touch of hers
⛤
But when everything appears lost
And evil seems invincible
True love will come through
To serve a great cause
⛤

Just as she was turning the page, a hand slammed the book so forcefully, that she jumped out of fear.

"What is your problem, Jean? Why are you doing this?" Kyrah bellowed. Her patience was running low. She didn't know what had happened to Jeanette.

She bent down to pick the book, whose pages were mercilessly scrumpled by the fall.

"Look at what you have done!" She fumed and tried to smooth out the wrinkled pages. She hated untidy books the most. They irked her and made her irritated.

She closed the book and hugged it to her chest. She gave one last look at Jeanette, who looked eerily calm and composed. Ignoring the bad feeling in her gut and shudders that ran down her spine, Kyrah decided to walk away from her.

Jeanette, however, held Kyrah's arm strongly, preventing her from moving.

"You are my problem!" Jeanette hissed. She bore her eyes; devoid of their friendly sparkle, into Kyrah's fearful ones.

"You are the one responsible for my pathetic life! Once I take you with me, I will be free." Jeanette growled and began dragging Kyrah towards the door.

"Where are you taking me? What have I done?" Kyrah shrieked, panic evident in her teary eyes.

"Someone is waiting desperately for you, Princess," she spat venomously.

To this, Kyrah gulped and stuttered, "Ho-How do you know that I'm a princess?"

"I know everything about you and your so-called kidnapper..."

"Enough of the questions, come with me." Jeanette gritted her teeth. She wasn't able to drag Kyrah easily.

Kyrah felt horrified and scared. She had no clue what was happening and where Jeanette wanted to take her. One name crossed her mind and she screamed it loudly, her voice ringing in both of their ears painfully.

There was no response. Nor did Zuber come running out.

She looked at Jeanette, who made no attempt to stop her. This puzzled her. She screamed once again at the top of her lungs.

Zuber came rushing outside with a bewildered expression. He found  Kyrah being dragged forcefully outside by Jeanette. He grew angry and rushed towards them.

"Jean, what kind of joke is this? Leave her alone!"

"Back off kidnapper," she warned. "Or shall I say--"

"Stop!" Zuber glared with a warning.

"Leave Kyrah alone!" He held Jeanette's arm and attempted to free Kyrah.

Jeanette just threw off his arm simply as his hold was weak and seemed so light.

"Why are you doing this?" Zuber yelled, his voice turning hoarse.

"Master's orders."

Zuber grew pale and couldn't believe his ears. Everything fit into place. Jeanette's act to get in their house, her friendly nature to know them, the headache which was haunting him since many days.

He didn't know how she did it, but now he felt sure that it was her only. She was working with Hiram. The one who wanted to harm Kyrah, the one who had her kidnapped by him.

He was distracted and didn't notice that Jeanette had placed a knife under Kyrah's neck.

She unlocked the door and dragged Kyrah outside. Zuber came out and panicked seeing this state.

"Don't do this to her, Jean!" Zuber warned, sweating profusely.

"If you wish to save her, come with me," she said drily, dragging Zuber with her left arm.

Hi, everyone! How are you all? ❤💙 So, I am back with another update.

Hmmm! So what do you think of this chapter? 💭 The legend related to Kyrah is revealed finally. Also, Jeanette is found dragging both Zurah outside towards the palace.

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