CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Thirteen

[MAGGIE'S PoV]

Lydia twined her fingers together in front of her dressing gown and smiled sweetly, the picture of serenity. But her eyes were still hard, and staring directly at my grip on Kindle's arm.

I dropped my arm to my side, but didn't move away from him. I needed some sort of protection from Lydia's inevitable wrath.

"Margaret, dear... I wondered if you were foolish enough to return, but I didn't think you'd be back so quickly." Her voice was level, amused.

I swallowed. "I—I um—"

Lydia waved a delicate hand. "No matter, if you're this eager to die, I'll happily oblige." She turned her gaze to Seraphim, who stared at her with foggy, love-filled blue eyes. "Darling? I'm so sorry this human disturbed you. I'll be killing her now."

Seraphim nodded, smiling. "Whatever you desire, my love."

Lydia giggled and stepped toward me, sliding a long, thin silver knife from inside her robe. Did she sleep with a dagger in her clothes?

I stepped back, expecting to press right into Kindle, but there was only open air behind me. I glanced.

Kindle had stepped aside. His hands were rigid at his side, but his eyes were locked onto the carpet. He was just going to let me die. He'd promised, and he was just going to let her kill me without a fight. My blood blazed. No.

"I would so rather poison you and do this the fun way," Lydia sighed and twisted the dagger in her hands. "But I'm not particularly interested in putting my lips on yours, so we'll have to do it like this. Could you move off the rug please? It's easier to wash blood off stone."

I looked at Kindle once more, but the coward wouldn't even meet my eyes. There was no where I could run, and no way I could convince Lydia not to kill me. My only hope was Seraphim.

I steeled myself, planted my feet, and unleashed a skill I never thought would come in handy: fangirling. "Casimir Hadrian Lousvar, crown prince of Lumina, son of Queen Amaranth Danthragnir-Lousvar and King Jareth Abadon Lousvar. Favorite activities, horseback riding and archery. Favorite color, green."

Lydia frowned. "What are you rambling about? Get off the rug so I can stab you!"

I turned my attention directly to Seraphim, who thankfully seemed to be paying attention. I continued to speak as fast as I could, listing every fact I could remember from years of playing SoL and studying the Wiki. "He lives in the palace of Lumina, located in the capitol city of Réalta. His bedroom is on the third floor, left rear tower. His horse is named Sugar-cube."

"Shut up! Move!" Lydia whined. I braced myself, expecting a dagger in my gut any second.

I stepped toward Seraphim. "The layout of Lumina's palace is as follows: Grand entrance staircase, ballroom. Left door, dining room, large glass door leading to the queen's garden. Right door, staircase leading to the second floor. First door on the second floor—"

Lydia moved towards me, teeth bared and knife at the ready, but Kindle intercepted, catching her arm and pulling her against him. "Seraphim, this is why I said she would be useful. She's a willing spy with an invitation to the palace, and she already knows a great deal about the royal family."

"I want her dead!" Lydia cried, but she didn't try to fight Kindle.

Seraphim held up a hand. "I am sorry my love, but I believe... Girl, do you have the entire layout of Lumina's palace committed to memory?"

I nodded once. Please, please let this work.

Seraphim sighed, pushing his hands into his sleek blonde hair and closing his eyes. After a long moment, he brought his icy eyes back to me. "Very well, when is the ball?"