Page 32 of Crowned A Traitor
“A new mission?” Eve’s eyes went wide. “Was there an old mission?”
“To stay here and rot.” There was an awful silence. “Well, your hair can be removed, but I see your sense of humour can’t. Why don’t you tell us all about your suffering at breakfast?”
Breakfast. Klara hadn’t noticed the sun threatening her heels as it poured in through the archway. Klara was starving, and she had forgotten time ran differently on the assorted planes. “Lilith and Abadan will want to hear all about this mission of yours,” Eve said before ordering her to change.
“I’ll leave you to it but be quick, don’t like to keep the others waiting,” Eve smiled thinly and closed the door.
~8~
The Crimson Guard are in the Castle.I’m screwed,Abadan must be planning something.Klara paced back and forth,if there was one, there would be more. She sat on the edge of the bed and placed her head between her knees. The Crimson Guards’ movements were usually kept busy in the Forest following whatever godforsaken orders Abadan had issued.I’ll have to leave while they sleep and pray Frendall will hold his tongue.Time moved slowly in Hell that alone would buy her time. The sun cut through her room before disappearing behind the dark clouds. She imagined the sun would always shine in Kalos. Most of the Creatures in Malum preferred nocturnal life.
After a quick shower, Klara changed into her grey smock dress and boots. She strapped a blade to her outer thigh, just in case the Queens weren’t in the mood to play nice. She couldn’t exactly bring her axe to breakfast. Klara was surprised to see one of the Ogres remained at her door. Although she was pleased that it wasn’t the Crimson guard with the creeping eyes.
“My own escort, how concerned the Queens must be,” she said, and the Ogre huffed exposing his thick fangs.
The Ogre walked ahead with his baton on his shoulder, leaving her to follow behind. Goosebumps rose on her arms as her body adjusted to Malum’s cold climate. They only had the dim candlelight lighting the gawking portraits to support their journey. Klara stilled as she saw the cluster of Crimson Guards guarding each door and portrait on the main floor.
Had there been an attack since I left?For the first time, she prayed it was an attack and not the Queens suspecting her early return.
The Ogre stopped at the archway to the dining hall. “Don’t want to join us?” Klara raised an eyebrow, and the Ogre snorted. Even he isn’t that stupid.
“You don’t by any chance want to tell me why there is an increased number of Guards?”
The Ogre shook his head. “Thought not,” she slapped his shoulder, and a low growl escaped his thick green lips. “Be careful Heiress,” he said in a hushed voice and Klara couldn’t believe her ears. It wasn’t a threat, but a warning.
Klara stood in the archway, watching the Queens sat with empty plates, while the portraits watched over them with hungry eyes, if they didn’t make for such a handy escape route, Klara would burn every last one of them. Klara smirked at the civility of the empty table.
“We were beginning to think you got lost,” Abadan said, taking a sip from her jeweled cup.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting. I had to freshen up after the journey,” Klara smiled politely pulling out her chair. The scrape against the stone floor echoed up the rafters. Before she sat, Klara placed her palm flat on the table, and the glamour slipped away, revealing the food on both the table and their half-eaten plates.So much for etiquette.
“I didn’t think the King would tire of your company so quickly,” Abadan said as Lilith and Eve rose their cups to greet Klara.
“A short visit but I learnt so much. I just couldn’t wait to return.” Klara played the dutiful ward and kissed each Queen’s cheek before taking her seat at the other end of the table. She wanted them to believe her stay in Hell had humbled her.
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” Abadan asked, and Klara thought about Frendall. How he could share blood with such a monster made her stomach roll. She didn’t know where to begin.
Mila’s defeat or the revelation of her Father’s retirement. Klara thought of the punishments she could bestow if she stayed in Malum as Queen or took her Father’s place in Hell.It wouldn’t be near as satisfying as living out your days in Kalos, her inner voice preached.
“There was a great gathering, lots of cheek kissing and introductions. Quite exhausting really,” Klara said, staring at the breakfast pancakes on a gold tray and loaded them onto her plate. “I was surprised that your Father didn’t send word of your return.”
“I left rather quickly; he charged me with new orders. I thought I should return promptly to show my remorse for displeasing my Guardians and my King.”
Abadan folded her hands under her chin. “Orders? You still have to finish your lessons,” Eve said, taking a gulp from her goblet.
“Oh, my training has already been signed off on, isn’t that right Lilith?” Klara eyed her mentor, and Lilith coughed into her hand.
“Yes, the King was pleased with what I had shown him. No need to drag it out,” Lilith said, and it was clear from the angered expression that neither Abadan nor Eve knew of this private discussion.
“And Abadan signed off on my lectures, Father said you had quite the chat,” Klara continued, and Eve held her tongue. Eve would challenge Lilith but not the High Queen.
“Yes, well I’m sure that was before you showed such utter stupidity by walking into a Ghouls’ nest,” Eve muttered behind her spoonful of bat soufflé.
“To learn is to do,” Abadan said, “You are not a child anymore. The King needs to see how well you do against a real threat.”
“My thoughts exactly.” They locked eyes and Klara saw the red gleam of Abadan’s irises.
“It’s settled then. Do you have orders? Your Father has always been clever about his punishments.”
