The Labyrinth King (The Labyrinth Series Book 1)

by L. J. Serafin

  “My word, you scared me,” she said with a laugh. “I’m Abigail. I’ll be taking care of your daily needs as you stay here.”

  I swallowed before responding. I had never been waited on before. It felt so strange. I felt so much more akin to her than someone who needed a handmaiden.

  “Hi Abigail, thank you. That is very kind. I am not used to this, um, lifestyle,” I said to her, my hands twisting each other in a nervous fit. I wasn’t sure I was entirely comfortable having someone work for me.

  “Would you like me to draw you a bath?” she asked, her eyes scrunching. She must think me strange.

  “That would be lovely, thank you,” I said back to her, bowing my head slightly in gratitude.

  She laughed. “You don’t need to be so formal, dear, it’s just a bath, and it’s just my job. I’m happy to do it,” she said with a smile. “I’ll have your dress laid out for dinner when you finish.”

  I smiled at her kindness. She reminded me of a mother I could have had. The type of woman I would have wanted as a mother, if I could have chosen.

  “Abigail, could you pick a dress that is… enchanting?” I asked, feeling silly as I said the words.

  She grinned. “My Lady, I’m sure you would look enchanting in a flower sack. But of course,” she replied. Then she turned and went back through the door to the bathroom. I heard water running.

  Water running. Inside. In a bathtub.

  I have taken every bath of my life in open waters, in the rivers by the village. To think of an actual bath tub. I had never been so excited. I pushed myself off the cozy lounger and padded over to the bathtub.

  It was massive and in front of a large open window overlooking the sea. The bathtub was round and deep, intended for soaking. As she poured oils into the tub, bubbles rose up in large patches over the steamy water. Abigail set down the oils and bowed out. I bent my head down to her again, still unfamiliar with the protocol regarding staff. She smiled and left me to my bath.

  I unhooked my dagger and placed it carefully on the windowsill. Then I stripped off my dirty clothes and threw them in the corner of the room before stepping into the hot waters. I sank down, letting out a sigh as it covered me up to my neck. It was incredible.

  I looked at the bottles of liquid that were sitting on the shelf next to me, each labeled with what they are. Soap. Lotion. Body cream. Conditioner. I gasped and grabbed the bottle. I had never had conditioner. I smiled and hugged the bottle to my chest.

  I sank down deeper, letting the water cover my entire face and head. The hot water scalded my face but felt heavenly all the same.

  I pushed myself up and smoothed the water from my face. Alder sat at the edge of the tub, amused.

  “Um, excuse me, Sir, this is private quarters,” I said with a smirk. He smiled back.

  “Pardon me, Miss, I just wanted to check and see if the most beautiful woman in all the land had a good day,” he said, his words teasing but sincere.

  I gave him a devilish grin. “She did,” accepting his cheesy compliment. His eyes glinted with a hint of surprise, perhaps expecting me to have batted away his remark.

  “I wish I could have joined you two. A day on the beach with you would have been…” he said, trailing off.

  “I enjoyed spending alone time with Jubilee. I think I may have made my first girl friend,” I said with a warm smile, not letting him finish. His face mirrored mine, genuine happiness. His glow turned that golden yellow.

  “The first of many, I am sure,” he said, his eyes crinkling a bit as he spoke. “Well, enjoy your bath. Tonight should be quite fun for you,” he said with a laugh.

  “Who am I meeting?” I asked.

  “Well, everyone,” he replied.

  The dress Abigail had laid out was a stunning lavender. It shimmered in the sunlight through the open windows. I could already imagine how it would look under the violet moonlight. The bodice was tight and covered in silk and jewels, revealing cleavage I hadn’t ever displayed before. The dress flowed out from the bodice in sheer lavender fabric. Thicker fabric covering only to my upper thigh while my legs were visible through the transparent material.

  My arms were uncovered, but Abigail brushed what she called “moondust” over my skin, making it reflect and sparkle a sheen of velvet gold on my tan skin.

  She took my hair and curled it in her hands, pulling it here and there so that it made my naturally wavy hair look full and enticing. The conditioner had done wonders for my hair. It had detangled it so easily and left it soft and flowing. I wondered how I had possibly lived without it before.

  She looked at my face, pondering what makeup to add. I felt slightly self-conscious as she evaluated me. She thickened and blackened my lashes, applied rouge to my cheeks, and finished with a swipe of a light pink lipstick. I looked back at myself as she finished.

  I frowned. It was too innocent appearing, too light and soft. It did not feel like me. She noticed my discomfort, and her eyes met mine.

  “Can you make me more… dark?” I asked, referring to my eyes. She nodded and applied darkening shades to my eyelids. When she finished, I was very pleased. Smoky eyelids and dark lashes stared back at me, tempting and delicious. I nodded to her in approval.

  She painted my nails a nude color and placed me in strappy shoes with heels. I had never worn heels.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to them,” she said as I winced.

  “Why would anyone want to wear these?” I replied in a huff.

  She turned me to the floor-length mirror, and I then understood. They made my legs look long and shapely, even my butt appeared lifted in the tufted sheer fabric. I reached down and hooked my dagger harness to my thigh under the dress. It was visible through the transparent material but it only made me look even more endearing, dangerous even. The enchantress nodded in approval, already relishing the conquests she could make in this outfit.

  I had to admit, though my appearance had obviously always been pleasing to men, my former clothes and self were nothing compared to the goddess that stared back at me in the mirror. I looked the part, an enchantress through and through.

  “Oh, one more thing,” she said, rushing over to a large boudoir in the corner. She opened the top drawer. “The King pulled these for you this morning.”

  She pulled out a large necklace and a pair of earrings before walking over to me, holding them carefully.

  The necklace was made of gold and large pink diamonds. It looked like a chandelier. The earrings matching perfectly and the entire set matched my new snake diamond ring. I had never felt so glamorous. I thought back to how far I had come, from having literally nothing but a dark alley to wearing these massive diamonds in a matter of days.

  I picked up the earrings. They were a far cry from the tiny studs I had stolen from a vendor when I was thirteen, piercing my own lobes and wearing them until they rusted.

  I placed them on my ears as Abigail clasped the necklace around my neck. The jewels met the top of my cleavage perfectly. I turned and looked at the mirror again. I no longer looked like an enchantress.

  I looked like a Queen.

  Chapter 33

  Alder walked in as I was standing there, admiring myself. I turned to look at him and as our eyes met, I saw his cheeks flush with a deep red.

  He was wearing a dark black suit, a deep V still showing in his undershirt. The snake tattoo peeping out from the corner. A crown of golden snakes sat on his head, his brunette hair curling out from underneath.

  He started to say something but stumbled over his words. The enchantress inside soared at his reaction.

  “I’ve come to ah—” he stuttered, “I’ve come to, take you to, to take you to dinner. Um. Wow,” he said. His eyes roamed over my body. I pulled my head up high, extending my neck and accentuating my ample bosom. I traced my hand lightly across my chest as I stared back, enjoying the power I had over him.

  “Then come take me to dinner,” I said with a playful grin as I looked at him through
my smoky eyes.

  He adjusted his jacket collar, suddenly hot. He walked over to me and I noticed he adjusted his pants slightly as well. The thought sent a thrill through me.

  He cleared his throat before he spoke this time. “Valeria, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to dinner,” he said formally, holding out his arm for me.

  I rolled my eyes. “If you’re going to turn into some pompous ass here, that will be the only place you can take me tonight,” I said with a frown.

  He smirked and then leaned over to whisper in my ear, his lips grazed my skin as he spoke, “Would you prefer we skip dinner and I fuck you now in that dress?”

  My cheeks flushed, my enchantress beaming beneath my skin at the thought.

  I turned and gave him a seductive look. “You will have to wait till after, I look too good to not even make it out of the door.”

  “That you do…” he mused, eyes catching at my voluptuous cleavage.

  He smiled and held his arm out again, I took it and we strolled out of the door.

  He walked me down several hallways to a set of large ornate doors. I tried to note the turns we took so I could find it again in the future.

  Two staff stood on either side of the door, they bowed deeply to us as we approached and pushed open the heavy doors.

  The room inside had a dozen round tables filled completely with people at each. At the end of the room sat one long table. I noticed two open spots in the very middle of the table, overlooking the entire room. Everyone stood as we entered. I pushed my posture up straighter as I took in their looks.

  They bowed as we passed by, I noticed men and women in various decadent outfits. Even some feminine appearing men in dresses and masculine appearing women in pants, something that would have shocked the Elders in Villam. It made my heart soar. They all looked stunning and rich. I wanted to stare at every single person forever, to ask them each more about their lives and whatever had brought them here. To learn all of their names. The Labyrinth court was much bigger than I could have imagined.

  We walked up the few steps to our table, walking to one side and around to our seats at the center. Minka sat to my right, Alder taking his place next to me. He held my hand and pulled out my chair for me, an endearing gesture. I stayed standing as he took his place in front of his chair. He reached out for my hand and we sat down at the same time.

  “Not pompous at all,” I whispered to him as the staff helped us push in our seats to the table. He chuckled and patted my hand.

  “It’s not usually like this, but it’s also not everyday the cursebreaker and potential Queen joins us,” he mused.

  “You did this all for me?” I scoffed. “I would have been fine with a nice roasted duck on a stick on our balcony,” I said. I heard Minka laugh at my comment next to me. Alder smirked.

  “Our balcony?” he emphasized. I elbowed him in the ribs gently at that comment. He laughed and picked up his glass of wine.

  I considered maybe I shouldn’t drink, I had no idea how to act prim and proper around these people.

  “When will I meet the soldiers you picked to find Leo?” I asked him, eyeing my wine glass.

  “When we finish dinner,” he said, then he lifted my hand to his and kissed the back of it, his eyes looking at me as he did. A show for the people, but also a sweet, sincere gesture. He knew how I missed Leo, the guilt I carried for leaving him. He was so understanding, it made my heart melt.

  Then, I heard a man come up behind us. He patted Alder on the shoulder before taking a seat on the other side of him.

  I couldn’t see him at first, Alder was blocking my view. But then he leaned back and turned to introduce me to the man.

  “Valeria, this is Benci, my second in command,” he said, I realized his voice was a bit uneasy.

  And I now knew why.

  Benci gave me a formal smile, perfect white teeth beneath a dark bronze complexion. His eyes were swimming pools of chocolate and caramel. His face was cut hard, as if he flexed his jaw frequently.

  He was wearing a dark grey shirt with buttons down the middle and a neat collar around his neck. He was sitting but he looked tall, very tall. And built like a fucking god. Even my enchantress was dropping her jaw.

  So this is what Jubilee meant. My center turned warm.

  “Welcome to Labyrinth City, are you enjoying your stay?” he asked, his voice had an accent I had never heard before. It sounded royal.

  I opened my mouth to speak but could barely form the words. I looked to Alder quickly, he looked uncomfortable.

  “Um, yes it’s lovely.” It was all I could manage to say. His eyebrow lifted as if doubting my words. His smile closed and he leaned back, seeming utterly bored with our conversation.

  My enchantress did not like that. I felt a wave of frustration pulse through me, he had ruffled her feathers.

  Alder cleared his throat, “Well, I think it’s time for food now. I’m starving,” he said to me. The staff must have heard because within seconds they were putting down plates in front of us.

  I felt bad as I looked at my food, I shouldn’t have been quite so obvious with how distracting Benci was for me. I’m sure there was not a woman alive who wouldn’t have had the same response, but still. I shouldn’t have done that to Alder. I felt guilt prickling up at my throat.

  I should do something to make him forget about that, I thought.

  I reached over to Alder’s thigh under the table. I placed it high and I felt him freeze at my touch.

  He gave me a sly smile which I returned.

  I slid closer to him, my hand moving further up his thigh to find what I was looking for. I felt him harden beneath my palm. I smiled and sipped a bit of my wine as I nonchalantly gripped him. I saw him fidget as I moved, but we both kept our eyes forward. Conversations continued around us, no one was paying any attention to us and the table cloth thankfully covered the view from anyone in front or to the sides. I rubbed my palm hard along his length, feeling it tighten and pulsate through the thin fabric of his pants.

  Alder stretched his hand out and curled it into a fist on the table, as if trying to maintain normal composure despite the pleasure. I moved my head ever so slightly so I could see his face as I continued for a few more moments. He was doing a great job turning his face to stone but as his eyes looked down at mine, I saw the want and ecstasy washing through him. He closed his eyes and I felt him pulsate under my grip as he climaxed.

  Satisfied with myself, I returned my hands to my own lap and continued eating my food. Alder’s posture relaxed next to me. He leaned over and kissed me on the neck, a soft gentle thank you. I smiled to myself as I took a bite of a roasted carrot.

  “So, I heard you went skinny dipping with my wife this morning,” Minka said to me, pulling me from my satisfied thoughts. I almost dropped my fork as I registered her words. Her face was stone.

  “Minka, I’m sorry I— I thought it was fine. We didn’t have anything else to swim in,” I started, shame in my heart that I had caused her any concern. Her stone face then broke into a wide smile.

  “I’m just fucking with you,” she said. Her brazen humor getting me once again. I smiled, relieved.

  “Benci and I will be reviewing the security around the palace tomorrow, would you like to join us? It might help you learn your way around here,” she said, her face kind again.

  “Sure, I would love that,” I said, my mind not missing the Benci inclusion in her statement.

  Any chance to stare at him, yes please, my enchantress said. She clearly saw him as a challenge. I gave her an internal kick.

  Stop, you have Alder. I felt a sensation similar to an eye roll inside, she was such a greedy bitch.

  After we finished dessert, the various court members began approaching our table to introduce themselves. There were several dignitaries from the four cities, people who had originally been from them but who had lived in the Labyrinth for generations. The rest of the court were random, all distinguished persons from the
outer cities who Alder said had come to the Labyrinth for one reason or the other.

  Alder said many of the city’s residents who end up here had come into the Labyrinth to either escape their problems or in some sort of suicidal wish. Thankfully, they were found by the Labyrinth City guards wandering the Labyrinth and brought here to live. He said most are not so lucky.

  Apparently, there were groups of guards who made frequent rounds through the Labyrinth searching for lost souls. I looked at Alder’s face as he told me, seeing pain behind his eyes. He was trying, trying so hard to save as many as he could despite the odds he faced.

  They were all kind but they looked at me curiously as we spoke. I suddenly felt like a bird in a cage, a thing to gawk at as they passed by. All of their eyes shone with lust. I couldn’t blame them given how I was dressed, the dark outlining of my eyes, and the golden sparkle on my skin. I noticed the soft candlelights of the dining room made the “moondust” give me the appearance of having a glow similar to Alder’s.

  Four soldiers approached us last. They wore uniforms and bowed deeply.

  “Ah yes, Val these are the men who will be searching for Leo.”

  I smiled at them, “How do you propose to start? It’s been days, how could you possibly find him in this maze.”

  The tallest one cleared his throat, I suspected he was the leader.

  “Pardon me, my Lady, we have been specifically trained in tracking persons through the Labyrinth. We know where he was last, I am confident we can find him within a week.”

  “And if you fail?”

  “We will not fail.” His eyes were stern.

  “What are your names?” I asked. The tall one introduced himself as Jakken, the other three were Noah, Remy, and Geralt. I nodded at them as each gave their names. I noticed they all seemed to be trying their hardest to keep their composures. They were very well trained but I still noticed the flush of red creeping up their necks as they eyed me.

  “No, you will not fail,” I said appraisingly. “I will meet you in the morning before you depart, I have a letter you will deliver to him when you find him,” I said, trying to keep my voice sophisticated and strong. I may be their Queen some day, might as well get some practice in now.