The Jem

~11~

There were so many new questions that Crimson wanted to be answered like; why does the Queen keep bringing in people who have horrible pasts? Who are the things that helped the Queen get her here? What's going to happen to her on her next birthday? What was the 'evil' that the prophecy was talking about? And most importantly did Hunter like her back?

She would ask some of these questions to the Queen when she saw her in a few minutes. Crimson began to feel frustrated that things were still so unclear! Suddenly, she heard a knock at the door.

"Hello, What do you need?" She asked as she saw a new guard at her door, "I've come to collect you for your meeting with the Queen." He informed, his features were so sharp and so was his tone. His eyes were pine-green, his hair was dark brown and his face was very pale.

"I know how to get to the Throne room, thank you very much." She snarled.

"It's not in the Throne room today."

"Where is it then?"

"Come with me." He reached for her arm but she pulled away.

"You walk I follow, you don't need to hold my arm we're not married."

"So childish!" He rolled his eyes. As he began walking she stuck her tongue out mockingly then followed.

After a few turns they finally reached...what was this room? Crimson took in all the sharp weapons, torture equipment and was that a dead body split in two? She gasped at the horrific, gory sight. Then she saw the Queen smiling, siting in a chair that looked similar like her real Throne, at the back of the room.

"What are we doing here?" Crimson asked. The Queen stood from her chair and glided over to her, still smiling.

"This is our torture chamber. Where anyone who defines me gets tortured."

"Why am I here your majesty?"

"Because after the beheading a few days ago, I've come to a realisation, I should be a bit more harsh with the people and creatures who take up sanctuary in my castle. Don't you agree, my Crimson Light?" The Queen's words made Crimson cringe, but she nodded anyway.

She turned to the Throne and saw Hunter stood there, not even blinking. But she could've sworn she saw his face soften when he looked back at her. Her cheeks warmed, then she turned back to the Queen.

"So should we question everyone here and make sure they aren't carrying death inevitable insects and such to my palace?" Another nod from Crimson.

Shes never heard the Queen talk in such a bitter tone. Maybe this was Cordelia's real self and the kind, loving Queen was just an act.

"Your majesty I have a few questions I'd like to ask you, but I'd rather not ask them here in such a pungent place, where a halved body is just a few steps away." Crimson tried a smile as she held down the gag that attempted to flee from her throat.

"Of course. Cassava, Hunter, Kaden lets go." Kaden must be the guard she just encountered a minute ago. And Cassava must be her Captain of the guard. She was very elegant in the way she moved and her blonde hair was magnificent in a sense, then there was her cobalt eyes that gleamed with hunger. Was it hunger for death?

A shiver clawed down Crimson's spine as she met the Captain's gaze.

                                       ~

When the Queen finally took up on her real Throne, Crimson cleared her throat.

"So as I said before I would like to ask you a few questions."

"Go ahead dear."

"So my first question is, why do you take people with unfortunate pasts and offer them a place to stay. Is it because you really want to help those people or is it because now they owe you a life debt?" As the words escaped her mouth, Crimson knew she could have worded that better than she did. She saw Hunter stiffen a little.

The Queens face drained of color but she calmly said, "I can't stand to see people living horrible lives so I take them in to work for me and I pay them so that when they do get released back into the world they will have enough to carry them through."

"That's very kind of you my Queen, may I ask the next question?"

"Proceed" she gave a faint nod.

"When you first spoke to me about 'retrieving' me from that family, who were the things that helped you and threatened to take me away again if you didn't do ask they asked?"

Cordelia gulped her nerves down, "They are hidden fuaths that helped me protect you when I first found you in the sea, but they warned me if anything were to happen to you they would take you away and destroy everything I love. But they took-they took pity on me and gave me another chance. And they want you to become powerful to fight something that I still have no clue of yet." The Queen once again looked sad.

"Thank you for your time, I will take my leave now." Crimson turned around but as reached for the door, a loud scream echoed throughout the entire castle.