Deneve woke up in an unfamiliar bed. Sitting up to take in her surroundings she realized, she was alone and someone had dressed her in a tunic. The dizziness she had been feeling had all but faded.

What was that terrible feeling! I was going to die!

Thankfully we didn’t but more importantly, where are we? Deneve groaned as she threw her legs over the side of the bed. She felt like one of those vast ancient machines had fallen on her. The door to the room opened, and a man stepped in. “You’re awake.”

“So it would seem,” Deneve said.

“You speak our language quite well for someone who looks so different,” the man moved closer, studying her. “I took the liberty of divesting you of your personal belongings.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” Deneve muttered, realizing she was merely a strange curiosity to this person.

“What would you like to know?” the man asked.

She smiled wryly, “In most circles, people introduce themselves to one another. I’m Deneve.”

The man smiled and replied, “I’m Kayal. Sorry but we are always on alert here in Muiquun, and you are a stranger.”

The man looked similar to the King. This had to be Saya’s brother, and Deneve wondered briefly if this was the exiled prince. “Did it ever occur to anyone that people here look strange to me too?” Deneve asked sarcastically.

Kayal smiled, “I suppose that’s fair, but I’m more interested in how you got here.”

“I was exploring some ruins, and I got dizzy. I touched what I thought was a pillar and woke up here,” Deneve said. She knew it would be a good idea to leave the Royal Family out of it even if he wasn’t related. It was information that wasn’t required.

“Who is your patron?” Kayal asked, his face twisted in disgust.

“I don’t have one,” Deneve stated.

“Look, I know who you are, Princess Deneve Of Mediah. I know of your engagement to my Uncle. So why are you here?” Kayal asked, his eyes glittered with anger.

“I told you what happened. Do you honestly think I did this to myself?” Deneve asked. “I have better things to do with my time than get myself caught up in stupid royal family bullshit. Yes, I was there under the request of the Royal family, but I had no clue that damn pillar would transport me anywhere. I know you too Kayal, I’ve spoken to Saya many times about you, and I consider her a friend.”

“You’re friends with Saya?” He asked with both hope and sadness. His demeanor had changed with the mention of his twin sister.

“Yes,” Deneve said, lowering her voice. “Saya misses you.”

“How is she?” He asked.

“The last time we spent time together, she seemed to be feeling better about everything that happened. We had wine, and she told me funny stories of the aristocrats.” Deneve said, smiling at the memory.

Kayal smiled, “You care for her. She needed female friends.”

“I genuinely like her,” Deneve said, “When I get back, I’ll tell her I’ve forgiven her.”

“What happened?” Kayal asked. Gone was the man who hated his own family, and in his place, the brother worried about his sister.

“Let’s say the ruin I was in, I was there, at all of the royal family’s request. I’m pretty sure they knew it could kill me.” Deneve said.

“Look, I will one day take power from my father, but that will come in the future,” Kayal said, sitting next to Deneve. “It seems like you are as much a victim as I was.”

“Why did you kill those priests?” Deneve asked.

Kayal sighed, “You’ve been honest with me. I’ll be honest with you. I killed them because it was an attempt by my father to control me. I know they were merely pawns in his plan, but I was so enraged that day.”

“What about Barhan?” Deneve asked.

“He tried to show me another life I could live to get back my father for putting me in his place.” He said, “I know his motives weren’t always in my best interest. He knew it would make father angry with me, and my amity with the people would go down.”

“Saya said Barhan backed off,” Deneve noted.

“He did, and he left me to make my own decisions. That is why he won’t die, but father will.” Kayal said stoically.

“And what of Saya and the people whose lives you will destroy,” Deneve said. “When she told what happened and what you did, she was horrified but could beg for clemency. Do you really want to go through with something that will drive her away from you? Saya wants everyone to stop fighting. That’s why I’m more forgiving of her for putting me in this position than will be with the Sahazad, Barhan, or Mannheim.”

“Wow, even Manmehan,” Kayal said with surprise, “He’s useless unless you need the stars to read.”

“That’s part of the reason I was sent. There has been an ominous sign,” Deneve explained.

“If Saya was involved, she must have gotten information outside of Manmehan. She won’t hang onto his every word like his followers do,” Kayal nodded worriedly.

“I need to get back to Valencia as soon as possible,” Deneve tried to stand, but Kayal pushed her back on the bed.

“Look, I don’t know what happened to you, but you’ve been unconscious with a fever for days, and you finally woke up,” Kayal said, studying her. “I’ve been personally taking care of you because I can’t trust my men. If they know who you are, they might violate or kill you due to your ties with the Royal family. I told them you were my concubine, and I’ve hidden you in the safety of my chambers to protect you.”

Deneve didn’t move from her spot on the bed. Kayal was right. Whatever had afflicted her was still going on even if she was awake. She looked down at the tunic she was wearing and realized it was probably one of his.