After I just broke my purpose of visit to Logain, he freaked out. He never guessed that was why I had visited him.
"Are you out of your mind?" He asked raising his left eyebrow.
"I was in oblivion for so long but trust me, it never got to the point where I lost my mind." I responded.
"What deal do you have with the devil?" He asked.
"None of your business." I responded.
He chuckled softly before he spoke again. "If I were you, I would answer all of Logain's questions honestly."
"And if I were you, I'll give Nardin the solution to whatever she seeks without arguing."
"Why do you think I'm supposed to help you?"
"Because... You're my step-brother and I know how badly you've always wanted to have demonic powers. I've caught you a number of times going through and practicing with the demonic book of shadows, and at first, I was wondering why you took quite the interest in it but soon enough I realized that it seemed to be the only way to get whatever you so desire. After a while, you stopped and I thought you gave up on it, but when you started to use Edward against me, I realized I was wrong and that you only needed a little push. Logain... Take this as your real-life practice to meet the devil himself." I said.
After Logain gave me a long gaze, he agreed.
"Deal." He said and I smiled complacently.
Logain gave me instructions as to how to get to him, The devil.
"You must leave for the isle of the unseen. You can go alone or go with someone. The isle lies after the valley of death and the garden of shadows. In that valley, nothing survives, except a key, the key to the underworld. When you get that key, you must use it when you get to the isle of the unseen." Logain explained.
"How do I use it?" I asked.
"I don't know. The key has its own powers. Once you have it in your hands, it'll guide you."
"Well, that's easy." I said but Logain nodded discouragingly.
"It's not sister. No one has ever made it alive from the valley perhaps its name. There are forces that claim the soul of anyone who dares to step foot in the valley and no one is ever a match for these forces except the devil." He said.
I swallowed nervously. "Are you saying I can't make it alive?"
"I don't know. You've always been special Nardin. Be warned though, never believe the visions you have in that valley. Whatever you see there is just an illusion." Logain said.
I want to ask him another question but there was a knock on Logain's door.
"Your highness, Your father is coming down to your chambers with his guards, he believes Princess Nardin may have made her way into the palace." The servant reported and quickly left.
"Alright, you must leave now." Logain said.
"I might meet him on the way." I said in horror.
"I'll open up a portal that will land you in Akalon. You find your way from there." Logain said and closed his eyes.
Soon a portal opened up and he asked me to quickly leave.
"How's my mother." I asked Logain but he said nothing.
I heard the King's footstep approaching and so I quickly disappeared into the portal.
I appeared in a bush in Akalon only to see Liam and his men. They seemed to have formed a search party and it was almost dusk. When I appeared they had their backs to me but when I appeared they quickly turned around.
"Nardin." Liam said.
"Liam." I said in response, almost short of words.
We met each other and I hugged him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Searching for you. How did you get here? What happened?" He asked.
"I... It's nothing." I responded.
Liam knew I was hiding something but he decided to leave me be.
After we went back to the palace, I sat down on our bed thinking of what Logain said about the valley of death. I wanted to go but not alone, but then, who will I take along? I needed to make this journey secretly. I can't possibly take Gabrielle along, she'll be scared to death, neither can I tell Liam about this. But what was I even going to do it the devil when I finally met him? Beg him to free Liam? He wouldn't even listen to me. What about Percy? Will he help me? No way, he wants the crown badly, he wouldn't even play around with his life. What about Edward? I could lie about my quest and get him to help me. That wouldn't be so bad now, would it? But where will I tell Liam I'm off to?
After thinking for a while, I came to a conclusion. I'll take Ed along and let Queen Charlotte handle the prince.
"With all due respect your majesty, I will like to go back to my father's palace." I said to Queen Charlotte when I got to her chambers.
"What is your purpose?" She asked calmly.
"Time. I need some time alone to unlove him." I responded.
She narrowed her gaze at me suspiciously.
"I don't believe you." She said.
"Why?"
"Because you're not ready to pathways with him. But I won't stop you. Whatever your purpose of the visit is, I hope it brings good fortune your way." She said.
"I hope so too." I responded.
"You can leave in the company of guards and your chambermaid if you want. I'll handle Liam." Queen Charlotte said.
After I bowed and left, Esmeralda appeared to her without wasting a second.
"Don't you dare think you can save your son?" She said.
Queen Charlotte landed her gaze on her and chuckled softly.
"I vanquished you once Esmeralda and I will do it again." She responded.
"You think so?"
"I know so. I was only 15 at that time and you were a goddess. What do you think will happen now that you're a priestess?" Charlotte responded.
"You destroyed a goddess and disrupted the unity among gods, Charlotte. And that is why you couldn't come to me when you needed a son. You went to the devil and now you want to turn back the hands of time?" Esmeralda said.
"I can fix what I destroyed." Charlotte said then stood up and locked her gaze with Esmeralda "erase all his memories of Nardin and I'll give you the scroll I stole from you. Once you get it back, you'll be accepted back in the Olympus."
"That scroll holds your life. Why should I believe you?" Esmeralda said.
"Because I'm ready to give up my life just to save my son."
"Deal." Esmeralda smiled mischievously...