CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Thirty-Two: More History Lessons

Once again, I was dead tired by the time we made it back to the Abandoned Order's castle. Luckily the dress this time was much more comfortable, and the shoes didn't kill my feet as much as the ones for the ball had.

"I have to report to Seraphim again, don't I?" I asked nervously. Seraphim and I really didn't have the greatest track record. First he had me kidnapped-- albeit accidentally-- then he choked me, threatened me at knife point, and had his psychotic wife poison me. I was not at all looking forward to what he could possibly have in store for me next.

Kindle looked at my terrified expression with his lips pressed together in thought, and then he nodded. "I'll go by myself this time. You told me enough on the carriage ride, Seraphim should be happy with that information and not need to talk to you."

I grabbed his hand. "Are you sure?" I insisted, "You know Seraphim better than I do, but are you sure he won't do something to hurt you?"

Kindle smiled gently, squeezing my hand. "I'm a big boy, Blondie. I can handle Seraphim. Besides, what can he do if you're safe in our room? Carlyle will be with you, so if Seraphim does try anything I can be alerted immediately. So relax and get some sleep, I'll be back before you even realize it."

"Promise?" I asked, searching his firestone eyes for any sense of doubt. I didn't mean to be so needy and panicked, I was just terrified of the things Seraphim was capable of. The horrible feeling was still in the pit of my stomach.

"I promise," Kindle chuckled before capturing my lips in a kiss.

The butterflies that always seemed to take over my stomach when Kindle's lips touched mine returned in full force. I stepped closer, allowing my body to curve against his. Kindle was fire, I was a barren field, and the way he burned through me was astounding.

I wouldn't have minded staying in the hall that way forever, but a high pitched "ahem!" that sounded almost on the verge of hysterics informed me that that couldn't happen.

Kindle let the kiss linger, pulling away slowly, no doubt just to irritate Lydia more. She liked to think she owned Kindle, but she didn't, and he wanted to prove it.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Kindle asked, finally turning to address the queen.

She stood at the corner of the hall, her arms wrapped around her stomach as if she'd been stabbed and her livid purple eyes glancing frantically between Kindle and I.

Kindle raised an eyebrow, silently waiting for Lydia to collect herself and respond.

"S-Seraphim, he sent me to collect Magdalyn. He wants the information on the prince." She stammered.

I had never before seen Lydia lost for words, and from the expression on her face I could tell it was something she wasn't used to as well. She must have put together the irony of the situation, the thing she did to keep Kindle and I apart—poisoning me— is actually what pushed us together.

"Actually, I'll be the one talking to Seraphim," Kindle informed her. He gave my hand one final squeeze then proceeded down the hall ahead of Lydia.

Lydia remained frozen for a moment, glaring at me with a trembling lip, like a spoiled child who's favorite toy had just been taken from her. As she turned on her heel to follow Kindle, silver ringlets swirling around her like a hurricane, I realized that she was exactly that. A lonely, spoiled child.

I made my way back to the room and quickly pulled my pajamas on. I sat on the bed running a brush through my hair and waiting for Carlyle to show up, all the while wondering what was going on with Seraphim, Lydia, and Kindle.