CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Six: Queen Tiny

"So," I broke the awkward silence that hung between Kindle and I after we exited Seraphim's room. Kindle was taking me to Faye, who was apparently the seamstress here, to get an entirely new wardrobe. "I guess you weren't joking when you announced me as a human sacrifice, huh?" I smiled half-heartedly.

"I'm sorry about that, really. I didn't know there was a different girl I was supposed to bring." Kindle sighed. "And I didn't know that he would go as far as threatening to have you killed. Or well, no. Knowing Seraphim as well as I do, I guess I should have expected that..." Kindle knitted his eyebrows together in confusion, and though I would never admit it to him, it was kind of cute. He looked a lot younger when he did that. Speaking of which...

"How old are you, Kindle?" I blurted out, my face immediately reddening when I realized how awkward and sudden my subject change was. Smooth, Maggie. Smooth.

He cast me a sideways glance, a small hint of a smirk returning to his face. "Nineteen, why do you ask?"

"No reason, just wondering," I shrugged. "So, are you and Sup—er—Seraphim... friends?" I asked, once again changing the subject.

Kindle nodded, "We grew up together. He's more of a brother than a friend really."

"But you didn't seem to get along very well." I replied, but then realized how insensitive that sounded. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that..."

"No, you're right." Kindle replied. "Like I said, we're more like brothers. Brother's may have their differences, but they're always brothers."

"Okay, so you're brothers," I said.

"More or less," Kindle shrugged.

"And he's the king," I continued.

"Yes?" Kindle raised an eyebrow, no doubt wondering where I was going with this.

"So that makes you...?"

"A trained monkey." He retorted, his eyes moving straight ahead again.

"Oh." That really wasn't the answer I expected.

The awkward silence returned. Just how far away was Faye's room?

Again, I broke the silence. "I'm actually kind of glad that you abducted me."

"Not the kind of response a kidnapper expects to hear from his kidnappee. Please elaborate," Kindle said, and I was relieved to hear the casual tone return to his voice.

"Well, the 'other girl' that Seraphim wanted you to take is my best friend, Elle." I explained. "You know how you say Seraphim is like your brother? Elle is the same for me. Well, not my brother... a sister."

"I see, and you would rather this all happen to you than her?"

I nodded.

"That's very kind of you." Kindle's voice took on a gentleness that was surprising from him.

More silence.

"Soo..." Kindle said, nonchalantly walking backwards so that he was facing me. "I suppose it would be polite for me to say 'You're Welcome', then?"

"Yes, I suppose so." I smile. It was very weird that we were getting along so well. Just a little while ago, I wanted nothing more than to murder him. How quickly things can change. "Or just cocky."

"But I'm not going to." He shrugged, a smirk once again plastered to his lips. "Because technically, you didn't say thank you."

"Jerk." I mumbled and stuck my tongue out at him.

"Tisk tisk tisk, how childlike," Kindle shook his head mockingly, "I'm afraid I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am to turn you into a proper lady in only a month."

"Yes, about that..." I began as we turned a corner, but the thought flew from my head when Kindle suddenly toppled over, tripping on a mass of ruffles and lace that let out a tiny, feminine shriek.

"Ugh! Get off me you oaf! I am your queen!" The tiny voice shouted, much louder than I would have expected.

Kindle immediately jumped to his feet, his expression suddenly dark and unreadable. "Very sorry, Your Majesty." Even the tone of his voice was suddenly different. He bowed quickly to the purple lacey jumble.

Said purple lacey jumble huffed in annoyance and two tiny hands dug through the ruffles to reveal the face of its owner. The queen.

She was beautiful. Her hair was an unnatural looking shade of silver that curled in delicate ringlets around a shimmering gold tiara. A few stray curls fell gently around her angelic face. Pale, blemish free skin; striking purple eyes; elfin features and shapely lips. Yes, she was stunning, but she couldn't be more than twelve years old! She was just so small!

Wait a minute... she's the queen! That means Seraphim is married to a twelve year old! He's probably only in his twenties, but still, that pedophile!

"Oh," The queen's irritated glare faded into a coy smile when she saw Kindle. "Good afternoon, Kindle."

"I apologize for knocking you over, Your Majesty." Kindle extended a hand to her. The formal tone he took on with her was weird to me. But, then again, I'd only known him for maybe an hour at most. And, well, she's the queen. Never mind, the formal tone is not weird at all.

The queen took his hand and Kindle pulled her to her feet. Wow was she ever short! My guess of twelve years old was starting to edge it's way to eleven...

"I've told you a thousand times, Kindle. You can just call me Lydia." The Queen insisted, still grasping Kindle's hand.

"With all due respect, Your Highness," Kindle slipped his hand from the queen's and bowed again. "I do not find that appropriate. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take this girl to Faye."

The queen's eyes snapped to me, noticing me for the first time, and she frowned. "What is she doing here? It was the other girl Seraphim wanted, this one is useless."

"She is our guest." Kindle corrected. "And yes, I've already been told of her uselessness. That's why I'm taking her to Faye."

Geez, a trip to another world is really harsh on one's self-esteem.

The queen snorted, "Guest? She's a prisoner, Kindle. You've got her on a chain for heaven's sake!"

And then I realized who this Queen Lydia was. I should have figured it out sooner, Seraphim was Superior, so of course his queen was Tiny! I felt a bit stupid for how long it took me to put that together. But at least now her immediate dislike for me makes sense.

Without saying a word, Kindle reached into his pocket, took out a little silver key, and unlocked the chain around my wrist.

I sighed, relieved to finally be free of those things. I rubbed the red marks on my wrist where the heavy chains had dug into them.

"You were saying, Your Highness?" I studied Kindle's face intently, trying to pick up on some hint of what he was thinking at the moment. When comparing his casual mood with the king to his cold seriousness around the queen... I couldn't help but wonder what would cause him to act like that.

"Nothing. Carry on, Kindle," Lydia snipped. She smoothed the lace of her gown before walking past us with her head high. For someone so small, she could really be intimidating. As she walked past, she locked eyes with me, and I froze.

That one look told me that whatever it was between she and Kindle, I was not welcome. That one look told me I was not welcome here in the castle. That one look was more than a warning, or even a threat.

It was a promise.