(Completed) Seraphina [The Lost Queen Series: Book #1]

Chapter 5

"Trick me, break me, leave me to die. Test me once and pay the price..."
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I slowly scooted over to the bones as rats scurried around me. Just the thought of touching one made me sick but it had to be done... I picked up a long bone from the arm area and quickly backed away as a large spider crawled out of the skull. The bone felt smooth in my hand as I dusted it off. I tapped it on the ground and it cracked at the small tap. This one wouldn't work...

As I slowly made my way back over to the bones I grabbed the longest bone from the upper leg. After I tapped it on the ground it didn't crack unlike the first bone. I felt around on the ground for a moment until a piece of stone moved underneath my hand. It was flat and yet it had a sharp edge to it which was exactly what I was looking for.

Snape's threat had me on edge as I began to plan out my move. The way I see it there are only two options. One, I get tortured until I'm realsed or executed. Two, I break out of here or at least make a weapon to defend myself. None of these are good options but death would likely greet me if Snape had his way...

Papa taught me some survival tips just in case I need to escape a dangerous situation. One of the skills is whittling so I can make a weapon from anything that doesn't break with one tap. This bone might work for small needles or maybe thin blades.

As I slow began to shape the bone into a short blade my stomach growled viciously. I've forgotten the last time I ate something so it's no surprise that I'm hungry. I doubt food will find my empty stomach anytime soon... Though I have rats around me they make for a deadly meal since I can't make a fire. Plus they are more than likely sick with many things after living down here.

Papa told me once about a plaque that killed everyone in the Barletta Kingdom all because the rats got into the grain. I know grain cannot be traded between kingdoms because of this which makes sense. The Barletta Kingdom was mainly commoners who grew barley and wheat which made the kingdom best know for its alcohol and baked goods. It was devastating when the news traveled about the tragedy but we learned that fire is the only thing that can get rid of the plague...

All of the Kings gathered to burn down the entire area including the forest. The land laid chard for years, even now, but the Kings decided to make a law that no one is allowed to go there for fear of the plaque returning. During the spring festival the representative from each kingdom brings a flower. At the end of the festival they plant it at the edge of the fallen kingdom to try and revive the land.

It's never been successful but over the 59 years that papa has been alive and he was told that it's been like it long before him. I might be mistaken but this year should be the 100th one... If that's the case then-

Footsteps faintly descending down the steps as my mind raced suddenly. I quickly tossed the sharpened bone and stone into the dark corner just as a torch appeared at the corridor entrance. Snape stood holding the torch as two hooded men behind him. His glare burned in me as the short hooded man came rushing towards me. "Seraphina!!!"

Huh? It can't be..."Papa?!?!" He grabbed the bars as tears streamed down his eye's "Stop that nonsense! Tell me what happened! Why are you down here???" He began to wail out as he reached for me. I let out a sigh as my cheeks burned in embarrassment. Slowly I moved closer but not enough to pull against the restrains.

"Please let her out... I'll do anything!!! Please just let my child go!" Papa whimpered loudly as an older dog does when he wants something. This was just embarrassing... Papa never groveled to anyone and it just seemed pitiful... I'd rather die then have him do this for me.

"Your child? Ha don't make me laugh, Papandreou! You know who's child that is! She is one of mine..." The hooded man standing beside Snape chuckled as his voice crackled with authority. As he pulled his hood down my heart thundered at the man standing before me. He had gray eyes and blonde hair like me and Snape. His stubble made him look young like us however.

He approached us slowly before yanking papa out of the way. Papa yelled in pain as his head smacked the floor. The man before me loomed over me menacingly as his eyes slowly roamed over my body. "Well you certainly have your mother's body... It's a shame that you were kept hidden from me. Of course I could've gotten you whenever I pleased. You can blame that idiot prince of Albertine for this misfortune."

"What are you planning..." My skin felt sticky as I slowly backed away. The air felt damper than before as the man chuckled darkly. Papa began to cry as he slowly sat up. Blood slowly dripped from his head as he reached for the man.

"N-no! Please your majesty!!!" The man quickly turned towards papa and kicked him in the stomach. Papa coughed up blood as the man reared his leg back for another strike. I let the cuffs fall off as I quickly grabbed a sharp piece of bone before grabbing the man's hood from behind. As his body slammed against the bars I quickly put the bone piece against his neck.

Snape drew his sword as the torch fell from his hand. "Let the king go!!!" King? That's when Caspians words finally settled in my mind. King Quincy, Snape, and I have blonde hair... Though Snape has green eyes we are still related because the king is our father... "How dare you touch him!"

As I snapped back to reality Snape thrusted his sword through the bars. It barely missed my neck as I let go of Quincy who quickly got out of my reach. He whirled around at me with a look of suprise and anger. "Now that wasn't very nice, my dearest daughter... I could have you executed for that! Unfortunately I need you alive for the spring festival... After that your fate lies with your half brother."

I made the mistake of glancing at Snape who had a dark look on his face as his eyes seemed to gleam in delight. "Oh I would enjoy that a lot... I can already imagine all the screams of agony already!" Snape began to laugh darkly until Quincy turned towards him. I refused to call that man a father or a king after what he did to papa...

Papa laid motionless on the ground as his empty eyes stared in my direction. A pool of blood had surrounded his head as more blood spilled from his slightly open mouth. He was gone and it was because of this tyrant man... "You will regret this... Mark my words because I will be the one to end your disgraceful existence!" Snape and Quincy laughed at my threat.

"I'll believe it when you bring me Snape's head! I've taught him everything there is to know about combat so if you take his head then I'll allow you to face me." Quincy smirked as Snape glanced at him with a worried expression. "What? Do you actually believe that she can kill you? Snape she hasn't even seen combat! She doesn't know what it means to kill with no remorse or vitality! After all no woman would get her hands dirty with blood...though they deal with it all the time..."

He's got some nerve... "Let me out and we will see if your wrong or not..." I may not have seen actual combat but that doesn't mean I haven't practiced sparring with sticks. Papa made sure I was taught basic survival skills and this was one of them.

"...Fine but what do you want if you magically manage to best Snape?" Snape snorted as if that insulted him. He looked annoyed about fighting me however. I wasn't going to be an easy defeat despite what they think...

"...I want out of this dungeon and I want papa's body so I can bury him." For some reason Quincy seemed confused by my request but he chuckled at me. It's clear that I'm not a threat to them but that's a grave mistake. They have no clue what I'm capable of but they will soon...

"As you wish, however if you fail then I will allow Snape to do as he pleases with you. Do you still wish to test your fate?" I wanted to slap the large grin on his face but I restrained myself for this is my only chance of getting out of here.

"My fate is what lead me up to this moment. It hasn't failed me yet so let's see if fate is on your side..." His grin quickly turned into a snarl as he snapped his fingers as Snape quickly opened the door. They looked at me with pure hatred as I slowly approached them. "You'd better pray that fate wishes you a swift death..." My voice was cold as the air seemed to suddenly to embrace me with its cool touch. Papa... I will not let them get away with this...