Page 12 of Crowned A Traitor
“Right behind you.”
Klara had never noticed the suffocating heat when she had a heart, but without one, each torch on the wall they passed seemed to breathe on her. It was a sharp comparison to the chilled Forest, even in the summer, the shadows kept Malum cool. Whereas the heat in the Manor evaporated her sweat before it had a chance to develop on her skin. Klara pulled at her jumper, allowing her skin to breathe. The hallways seemed to narrow, as she focused her attention on the murals decorating the hallway, each brought to life Father’s most significant battles and creations.
“What brings you home?” Frendall asked, cutting through the silence of the Manor. “Not like you to visit.”
“The Fall works both ways,” Klara countered. She wasn’t the enemy, why was he treating her as such.
“The King never said you couldn’t visit, and regardless of what happened at the last ceremony, he never sealed the Fall.”
“I thought it best that the King and I have some distance.”
“And you couldn’t reach out,” Frendall said, and Klara refused to meet his eye.
“When I returned to Malum, I was on lockdown. The King didn’t appreciate my quick departure from the ceremony.”
“And before that?” Frendall pushed, and Klara didn’t know what answer to give.
“The Queens aren’t all that easy to slip,” she said, not able to read his expression.
They reached the throne room in mere moments, and Frendall halted listening intently, but Klara couldn’t hear anything.
“You’ll want to duck,” Frendall said, motioning at the Doomed at either side of the doors. Klara heard the whistle as a dagger flew through the air, and she darted aside. The dagger barely missed her cheek. The exhaustion was slowing her reflexes. That was close,Klara exhaled hearing the weapon clatter to the ground.
“One of his moods?” Klara asked, and Frendall winked. “Picked a great day to visit,” she muttered to herself as Frendall stretched out his arm, motioning for her to step inside.
“Do these look like Jordan almonds?” King Lucifer said, sitting on his throne. The King swung a small packet back and forth on his finger before throwing it to the ground at the Lesser Demon on his knees.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. The Human assured me...” the Lesser Demon stammered.
“Should a King expect nothing from his servants?” Lucifer roared as the Lesser Demon scampered to pick up the scattered almonds from the torn packet. Klara scanned the room away from her Father’s scolding, she knew better than to interrupt, and so did Frendall. The throne room was devoid of any furniture, and the metallic ebony decor created the ominous atmosphere her Father loved to inflict. The impressive fireplace breathing hot air at the other end of the room drained Klara further.
The Lesser Demon shook and struggled to speak. With a simple click of the King’s fingers, the Demon disintegrated into a small pile of ash. Lucifer rested an elbow on the arm of his throne and sighed, “so hard to find good Demons these days.”
“Another disappointment Father?” Klara said, walking through the darkened room. The dimmed chandelier high above them provided little light.
“My daughter!” The room shook as he stood in his black tailored suit outstretching his arms.
“Missing a call didn’t warrant a visit.”
“It’s been too long Father,” Klara said and Frendall stepped aside, allowing the King a better look at his Heir.
“You have brought me such a gift,” Lucifer smiled at Frendall, exposing his white teeth.
“I can’t accept your praise, I merely found her wandering the grounds.” Lucifer slapped his loyal Commander on the back, “ever so modest.” The strike of Lucifer’s hand threw Frendall a little off balance.
“I didn’t come here just for a visit…I need...” Klara started knowing she was about to push his mood even further down the rabbit hole.
“Nonsense, there need be no reason to visit your home,” The King wrapped his lean arms around her, and Klara knew he would sense her waning power. Her chin smacked his shoulder as he crushed her and Frendall stifled a smile as their eyes met over the King’s shoulder.
“Is it your wings? Have they come in?” Her Father beamed.
“No, but Lilith assures me that they will appear when needed,” Klara lied, and his face dropped in disappointment. “No matter, they will manifest in due time.” The King pulled her into his embrace once again, hesitating a moment too long.
“You’re injured,” Lucifer said, gripping her shoulders tightly and Klara felt the spider’s web tearing from her shoulder.Clench any harder and you’ll have an armless and heartless daughter, Klara thought as she looked into her Father’s tormented eyes.
“How bad is it?”
“A little more than a scratch,” Klara said pulling down the front of her t-shirt just above her breasts to reveal the bandage.
