CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Twenty-Seven: Lacking Leverage

By the time the carriage returned Kindle and I to the Abandoned Order's castle, I was ready to strip out of this gown and fall into bed. The ball itself ended just before midnight, and the ride back to the castle was another two hours on top of that.

However, sleep was apparently not an option, because as soon as we got in the door Kindle led me to Seraphim's room. "Now that you've completed your mission, you have to report to Seraphim and tell him what you learned."

I sighed, trudging in front of Kindle. "Can't I tell him in the morning? I feel like I haven't slept in a year. And my feet are killing me. And the bobby-pins are digging into my scalp."

"Relax, Pouty. You'll be able to sleep in a little while. And you can take off your sh—" I was kicking the shoes off before he even finished his sentence. Kindle chuckled but said nothing, scooping my shoes off the floor. I was willing to leave them there.

We walked to Seraphim's room. He and Lydia were sitting at the piano when we arrived, Lydia playing a pretty but unrecognizable melody— unrecognizable to me, anyway. Maybe here it was a common piece.

Seraphim looked up when we entered, his expression lightening instantly. "Ah, good you've returned. Were you able to meet with the prince?"

"Y-yes," I responded nervously. This was the first I'd seen him since the incident in the hall, and honestly just looking at him was enough to make my neck hurt. Obviously, I had to learn to choose my words more carefully around Seraphim, especially with Lydia right there.

"And? What did you learn?" Seraphim pressed.

Lydia had stopped her piano playing and was also waiting expectantly for a response. Even Kindle, who stood next to me, waited for me to answer. Though I doubted his reasoning was the same as the king and queen.

"We mostly just talked about... casual things." I explained, "He's worried about eventually taking over as king of Lumina, he feels pressured by his tutors, his favorite color's sea-foam green, his favorite pastime is horseback riding, and--"

"Stop," Seraphim sighed.

I clamped my lips together instantly.

"Maybe I should rephrase the question. What did you learn that is useful?" 

"I-I don't know. You never told me what specifically I was trying to discover." I responded, my heart rate increasing. Everyone was staring at me, waiting, but I had no idea what it was they were waiting for.

Lydia rolled her eyes, "I knew this girl would prove to be useless, I told you!"  

I glared at her, "I'm not useless, I did just as I was asked!" 

Kindle placed a hand on my arm lightly, reminding me of where I was and the possible consequences o shouting at the queen. However horrible she may be. "What did you learn about King Jareth? Queen Amaranth? The Prince's future plans?" He suggested helpfully.

"The king was not there, the throne I assumed belonged to him was occupied by a young blonde man. I was told he was the princess's fiancé, some heir to a neighboring kingdom. Queen Amaranth, although I didn't know her name, was there. She didn't dance, she just watched. Cas... the prince and I didn't talk about what he would do once he was king, and I'm sorry but that's all I know." I just hoped I'd learned enough to be released.

There was a moment of silence, then Seraphim nodded. "Alright, I suppose that's good for now. You may return to your room at this time. Tomorrow, you'll begin preparations for the next ball."

My eyes widened. "The next ball? We agreed that after this ball I could go home!"

"We agreed to nothing," Seraphim scoffed. "The bargain was between Kindle and I and it was for your life, not your return home. Now return to your room and prepare for the next ball, I trust 'Cas' told you when that would be?"

I nodded stiffly, feeling angry tears push at my eyes. "There will be a dinner next week, same time as the ball, he's saving me a seat next to him."

Seraphim smiled cruelly, "How happy he will be when you arrive. Perhaps you are on your way to becoming the next queen of Lumina."

Lydia snickered.

I clenched my fists, turning my eyes to the floor as the tears started to fall. I thought I was on my way home. So close. I was so close.

"Blondie, let's go," Kindle murmured, wrapping one warm arm around me to lead me out of the room.

I removed myself from his arm, turning quickly to face Seraphim. "The deal you made with Kindle was for the first month. That deal expires tonight." I said, marching my way over to him, a glare on my face. "So now it's my turn to make the deal. I will find out whatever you want to know at the dinner next week, Then after that I will go home alive and free, and none of you will bother me or Elle ever again. That is my deal."

Seraphim laughed loudly, and I struggled to keep myself standing tall and confident. "The thing about making deals is that you have to have leverage." Before I could blink, Seraphim spun me around and pulled me close, so that my back was pressed tight against his chest. "And you, dearest, have no leverage."

I opened my mouth to speak, but the cold, sharp metal of the knife he pressed against my throat stopped me.

"You get that away from her," Kindle snarled, taking a step forward. "Seraphim, release her or so help me I—"

"You'll what? As the captain of my guard it is your job to defend me, Kindle. If you do anything to the contrary, I could have you executed for treason." Seraphim slid the knife down to my stomach, the tip of the blade poking through the midnight-blue satin. "Or I could kill her, both of which I'm thinking would have the same effect on you."

Kindle froze his jaw clenched tight. His firestone eyes seemed to blaze even brighter in his anger.

"You're dismissed," Seraphim said casually. Although I couldn't see his face from my current position, I knew he was smiling.

Kindle's eyes shot to mine, and for the first time in the month I'd known him he looked panicked. I knew the feeling, of course, my eyes probably reflected the same panic. My heart was thumping like crazy and every time I inhaled I could feel the sharpness of the blade.

"You're dismissed, Kindle." Seraphim repeated, pressing the knife harder against me. I winced.

"Yes, Your Majesty," His tone laced with acid, Kindle bowed slowly, never taking his glare off of Seraphim. He shot one last worried glance at me before turning on his heel and exiting the room, slamming the door behind him hard enough to topple a few of the chess pieces on Seraphim's glass board.

There was a moment in which no one spoke, and Lydia had the nerve to begin her song again.

Carlyle materialized by the door, a concerned expression on his face. Kindle must have sent him to look after me. Not that there was much a ghost could do anyway.

Seraphim pulled the knife away and spun me so I was facing him. "What are we going to do with you?" He sighed.

I looked away from him, saying nothing. I focused instead on the music of the piano. He won't kill me, right? His plan against Cas will fail if he kills me.

"I suppose it was foolish of me to expect you to learn on your own," Seraphim continued. "You must be taught." He turned to Lydia and extended a hand to her. "My love, if you will...?"

Lydia cut her song off instantly, and took his hand with a smile. "With pleasure." She purred, turning her wicked purple eyes on me, "I've been waiting to put this one in her place."

I took a step back, but Seraphim grabbed my arm. I had nowhere to go anyway.

"How much?" Lydia asked sweetly, leaning her head against Seraphim's arm as she studied me. Her heels added a good five or six inches to her height, and since I was barefoot we stood at nearly eye-level.

"I'll leave that up to you. Just remember we need her able to attend a dinner next week." Seraphim responded.

"You're in for a sleepless night, Magdalyn." Lydia giggled, before leaning forward and pressing her lips against mine.

Pain.