Love Lock

Chapter 3 of Love Lock

BAM!!

Mind control, hypnosis, sorcery, whatever it is. I will get someone to hypnotize her and she will have no choice but to obey me. No one can conquer hypnosis.

“Honey", I call my husband in a sweet tone

“Yes, my love", he replies with a big smile on his face, happy that he heard those words from me.

“Call me Nayiri", I say still maintaining my charisma.

“Yes, my love. Anything for you", he said and ran happily out of the room. Herod is such a sweet man. Sweet but cunning. Who would have thought that it was on the battlefield that we'd fallen into what you say is love? I still can't believe that we are ruling this land together. Mother always liked him too, maybe it was because his presence prolonged her life or how his positivity would light a spark of life even in the eyes of death. Whenever I was down, he was there, and when I was becoming queen, he was my biggest fan, but that is all in the past.

There is no more time for me to think about him or feel such a useless emotion when my people are at risk. I have to save my face and name.

“May I enter, my queen? ", Nayiri asks with a knock behind the door.

“Enter", I say jokingly and open the doors with a swing of my wrist. Looking at my excited face she knew her purpose.

“I can't", she said breaking the loud silence.

“I didn't yet tell you what I want from you." I walk towards her with every word till we are inches apart.

“I knew Yoselin wouldn't agree, so you'd want me to hypnotize her, but... " she paused as I looked at her peculiarly. But what?

“-but I can't. The screams of the victims are haunting me. I can't sleep at night. By hypnotizing them I take a part of their souls and add it to mine.

General Marvon's conscience still haunts me. He's cursing me every night yet smiles at me. It is driving me crazy. Please, I can't go on like this. I have to give back their memories and never look back"

“Heartwarming confession there. It almost moved me. Almost.", I went closer and wiped her pitiful tears.

“Don't forget that you asked me for a second chance after you killed your mother. Herod brought her back and I have been prolonging her death. I asked one thing of you in return. Just one thing Nayiri. One small thing, for you to use your powers for me, and now you are backing out?.! That's fine, just go on and get out of here. That's the door", I said simply and started walking back to my desk giving her space to leave.

“Wait, no one breaks a deal with you and lives. How much time do I have?"

“You did your research. It is simple actually. Your mother was killed at 65, but we prolonged her life. Now she is 95; 30 more years have been added, so it will be deducted from your life span, and you are supposed to die at 46, but you are 23, so you have passed your age. so..."

“ The moment the deal is off both of us die"

“Exactly", I say clapping my hands together. Nayiri is such a smart girl. “So do you still want to end this deal?" I ask her as I see her contemplate her fate.

“Even if you want to Yoselin is too strong to be hypnotized. Besides, if I take her memory, she will try and break free. She will damage my head. It's too dangerous I could die in the process"

“Then die. This plan has to work no matter what. Haven't you heard the saying, ‘You win some, you lose some'?" I said simply and took my leave.

“I am not strong enough"

“Then don't be weak"

“You don't get it. This won't work"

“Make it work!"

“You need plan B"

“Stick within your lane", I say

Nayiri 's Point of view

My heart left my body after I left the queen's quarters. Why did I get myself into this? I guess I was desperate. Now, there's no way out.

“Hi there, Nayiri," General Marvon greets me with a warm smile.

“Hello, general. How can I be of service to you?"

“I was wondering if you could escort me out"

“My pleasure"

I escorted him to the palace gates. The whole journey, I couldn't even look him in the eyes but he was smiling at me the whole time.

“We're here", I said. “This is where we part ways. Have a good night, general", I continued and took my leave. “You're the sister my son always wanted. I am sure he would want you as an older sister, kind, sweet, caring, and... innocent. He always wanted someone with a mind as pure as a saint's", General Marvin said, adding to my burden. For heaven's sake, why does he have to be kind to me?

Drip...drip, my tears were falling like leaves in fall with every step I took. to think I knew the reason behind his son's death. To think I took a precious memory from him. Why does it have to be me? Why did that have to happen? If I had never killed Mom that day, I wouldn't need Kayani, and I wouldn't be in this blasted mess.

Nayiri, my son is waiting for me,

Nayiri, where is Ms. Chwe?

Nayiri, did Rick make it out?

Nayiri, how dare you raise your hand at your mother?!,

Please... please...I beg you...leave...me... alone

Yoselin's Point of View

I sat on my bed comfortably. I haven't slept this well in almost a year. I jumped down my bed greeting Kiana and Kiara.

I put on my most colorful robe and made my way toward the dining hall. I don't need Nayiri dressing me up like I am some sort of child. I am an adult.

“Yoselin, wait", Nayiri called me from behind.

“As you can see, I am dressed. I don't need you", I said without turning back to face her.

“It's not that.", she said, trying to keep the conversation going.

“Then what is it?", I asked her coldly. The only reason I tolerated Nayiri's impulsive behavior was because of her mother. Ms.Adiri always wanted us to be close. She said companionship is all we need in tough times.

“My mother said to give you this." she handed me a hair clip with a big blue gem encrusted in its center. The sight of the clip left my legs numb.

“She wanted to give it to you herself but I guess old age. Please take good care of it; it belongs to her great-great-grandmother," she said. I could feel traces of jealousy and joy at the same time in her tone. “What did I do to deserve this?", I asked, unable to believe my eyes.

“She wants you to feel like she's with you when you embark on a new journey out of that dungeon," she said finally and walked down the hallway, leaving me dumbfounded.

Crap! It is morningn g, ng for crying out loud. Why am I getting emotional over a worthless gift? This means nothing to me. If she wanted me to have it she would have come herself instead of giving that weak excuse. I haven't seen her in ages and she has the tenacity to accuse old age.

Heavens!!

I haven't seen her smile, smelt her sweet honey scent, felt her soft clothes; I haven't felt her touch...I haven't felt her love and I doubt I ever will.

‘I love that clip. It looks pretty on you.'

‘Really?'

‘Yes, I want it '

‘I will get you one, okay?'

‘Promise?'

‘I promise you that... don't you believe me Linie?'

‘I do. I do. How can I not?!'