“Let her go, Tavo,” Ezra said once more. Then he turned to the others.
Ho‘ohuli stepped forward. “The king may not fight you, Tavo,” he said. “But we will fight on his behalf. He has asked for peace, extended compassion to you as your brother. You have only instigated violence and oppression.”
More silence.
Ezra spoke up now to Tavo’s men. “Join me and my people,” he said. “We can work together in peace. Create alliances with foreign kingdoms that mutually benefit and respect us both.”
The silent devotion shifted, like tides changing. Tavo’s men could see the difference between Ezra and his brother.
Tavo gaped. “What are you waiting for?” he exclaimed, but his men did not move.
“We weren’t looking for violence,” said one of the foreigners, and threw down his weapon. The others followed.
And Tavo, now realizing his own defeat, released Kalei.
I rushed to grab Kalei and pull her back while Ezra’s guards cuffed Tavo’s large wrists. The man didn’t even resist, accepting his loss respectfully.
“You’re under arrest for treason,” Ho‘ohuli said. As the guards took Tavo past Ezra, the king let out a breath.
“Iamsorry that things ended like this, Tavo. You’re my brother, and I love you. I only hoped you would love our people the way I do. The way father did.”
“Well I’m Tavo.” He spit. “I do things differently.” And with that, the guards took him away.
I finally turned to Ezra, ready to embrace him when…
What is she doing?
Cressida held out her golden ball, golden magic swirling around it. Ezra let out a breath and I gasped.
Ezra, no! She’s turning you back into a frog!
Before I could leap towards Cressida to stop her, Kalei grabbed my arm.
“Stop, Aulani!”
No!
Ezra looked at me, the magic moving like ribbons around him. He let out a gasp and crouched down.
Ezra!I tried to break free of Kalei. However, Ezra spoke with a pained expression.
“Ho‘ohuli knows this, but I give the crown to you, Aulani. You are queen of Kaiora–”
No. No!!!
You deserve to live, Aulani.His voice was tender, and he even smiled at me.
It all happened so quickly.
NO!Pili pecked Kalei’s wrist and she let me go. I ran to Cressida, shoving her to the ground. Then I grabbed the ball, but the magic was still swirling.
Whatever spell she cast had been activated, swirling between Ezra and I… and if I didn’t act quickly, Ezra would turn into a frog within seconds.
I grabbed the nearest hard object I could find: an ax. And with that, I let it drop on the ball. I had surprisingly good aim, because it landed right in the center of the sphere. As soon as it hit, golden light exploded all around us and I flew backwards.
“Aulani!” It took a moment before Ezra came running towards me, cradling me in his arms. “Aulani, why did you do that? You were supposed to live. The spell would make me transform into a frog, but you would be human forever.” Now tears stung his eyes.
I blinked a few times, then touched his soft cheek.You are the king here, Ezra. Don’t croak on me now.
