Neo didn't exactly expect the day to go as planned, but that didn't mean he thought he would be stuck in a closet with the queen, either.
It was the day of the state dinner - the day the royals of England would sit around a giant table, talk politics, and have a big fancy feast. Of course, Neo wasn't allowed to touch any of it. He just had to stand behind Quilliene and stare at the delicious food. Not that he could taste it if he wanted to, anyway. Everything turned bad in his mouth if he didn't chew quick enough. How he didn't die because of the strange curse he pertained was a complete mystery.
Quilliene stood at her chair, watching as each and every noble entered and their names were announced. There were at least fifty seats around the table. Neo wasn't paying attention to what they were called - he didn't care enough to. However, he did notice that Andrew, the duke, didn't show his broken face.
Quilliene had tried to make Neo wear the suit, but he had blatantly refused. One time - he said he would wear it once, and never again. She was upset and had almost yelled at him like before, but she didn't want to get that close to him ever again. It was awkward and embarrassing enough the first time.
"That one looks like a peacock," Neo muttered, frowning at a rather extravagant looking dress one of the noble women had walked in with.
"Colourful peacocks are male," Quilliene mused quietly.
"Then maybe she's trying to tell you something, hm?" He smirked.
She rolled her eyes, watching as a man entered next. "This one is trying to look like a macaw."
"He has the nose for it, too," Neo grinned.
Quilliene's mouth twitched a little, as if to smile, but it quickly fell away. She herself was wearing a regal purple velvet dress, a slit in the left leg to move around easily. There were no straps on her shoulders, simply a long neck piece to hold it all up. Her back was exposed with a criss-cross design, showing off her soft and clear mocha skin. Neo noticed she had a small beauty mark on her right shoulder blade.
The last one to enter was a strange sight, though, and neither the queen nor her bodyguard spoke any words about the person. They were a feminine figure in a black cloak with the hood up, body completely covered - and they were tall. Quilliene squinted, looking around at the chairs, which were all full. Her eyes darted back to the guard at the door, who seemed to sniff the air before letting out a feral snarl.
"Your majesty, get back!" One of the servants shouted.
Many of the guards pulled out their swords, the nobles crying out in surprise as the woman in black grinned. Why did her teeth look so sharp? Neo started to understand the unfamiliar danger, though not knowing how or why it was occurring, and he pulled the queen behind him. The woman at the door raised her arms as the guards charged - wait, was her skin red? Neo didn't have time to figure it out before she was engulfed in flames.
Neo didn't wait to see what was about to happen. He tugged on Quilliene's arm, who seemed startled and confused, before pulling her to the side and out of the room. Maniacal and chilling laughter could be heard behind them, then promptly screams and cries as there was a clashing of swords. Quilliene gasped lightly, stumbling in her wedges as Neo dragged her through the corridors.
He knew the castle fairly well for the near two weeks he had been through the halls. Every nook and cranky, small space, and inconspicuous room was mapped out in his mind. He knew where to go and what places would be hidden from sight. Leading her into the servant's quarters, he stopped at one specific door that was out of the way. He opened it, revealing a tiny broom closet. Quickly, he pulled Quilliene inside, panting.
"Stay here," Neo demanded.
"What?" She hissed. "I am not hiding in some dingy broom closet-"
"Do you want to be caught by whatever the hell that is?" He interrupted.
"That was a devil…" Quilliene frowned. "But what about you? Are you just going to stay out there?"
"There's not enough room for the both of us," Neo said.
"And what if she finds me?"
"She won't."
Quilliene stared at him. She knew he wouldn't be able to handle the devil if he couldn't kill a Class A Wyvern. "Neo, as your queen, I command you to stay with me for protection. It is your duty."
Neo grit his teeth as he glared at her, then glanced back down the hall with a nervous gleam in his eyes. Another direct order from the queen… how convenient. Sighing lightly, he slipped into the closet sideways, and Quilliene turned her back against the wall to give him room. He reached over her and closed the door, holding his breath as the noises of battle and shouts were drowned out quickly.
Quilliene and Neo were uncomfortably close – closer than ever before. Their chests were literally touching. The queen raised her hands and pressed against him lightly, and he leaned back as far as he could. She was glad it was dark, afraid he might have mentioned how red her cheeks were getting and tease her for it. Neo was the same, staring up at the ceiling to ignore the feeling of her hot breath against his throat. It made his neck hairs stand on end.
Quilliene was trying to remain silent, feeling rather light-headed all of a sudden. I can feel his abs through his shirt, she thought, then recollected herself. Don't think about it. Do not think about it. She took deep breaths, closing her eyes and attempting to still her racing heart. Gods, she thought bitterly. Why did I tell him to stay?
That was when the sounds of fighting stopped. Neo glanced at the door, hearing footsteps approach ever so slowly. He frowned – they didn't sound right. Like bare feet, he concluded. Quilliene looked over as well, gritting her teeth. It was not one of her servants or guards coming to retrieve them. It was something… far more dangerous.
A slow, wilting feeling cascaded through the halls. Shadows dimmed the lights as the world flicked behind the door, and a silhouette of two feet hovered in front of the entrance. The sliver of light was blocked as there was a sound of something fluttering, then an ear piercing screech of nails on wood. Right on the door.
The moment passed painfully slow, making Neo's hackles raise before the shadow disappeared down the hall and the lighting returned. He let out a held breath, as did Quilliene. He listened for a few moments, gritting his teeth. Could that thing still be out in the hall, waiting for them to show their faces?
"We have to leave," He whispered to her.
She nodded, despite knowing he couldn't see it. Neo grabbed the door knob and turned it quietly, opening the door slowly. Peering one way, then around the frame to the other hall, he found nothing waiting for them on either side. Grabbing Quilliene's hand, he led her out into the corridor, to which she let him. Neo went the opposite way he heard the devil heading in, but it was fruitless when something dark shadowed the lights once more.
Neo stopped as he heard a maniacal chuckle enter his head, turning on his heel to look behind him. However, there was nothing there. Quilliene gave him an inquiring look, and he grit his teeth, continuing to lead her away. Alas, that did not stop the strange voice protruding into his mind.
"You can't run."
He grit his teeth, walking a bit faster.
"Leave the queen to me."
Once more, his feet sped up, making Quilliene struggle to keep pace.
"Stop trying to escape, little one."
He tried to keep his breathing even, but his gaze was blurring.
"I can take you to the place…"
t paused, the next word making him shiver.
"She resides."
The laugh came again, and he barely saw the black shadow overtake the doorway they were so close to reaching. He stopped sharply, and Quilliene winced as he darted in front of her, his back facing her as she gasped. She saw the flash of red, then the black claws rake out and slash across Neo's chest. He cried out, struggling to stand, holding the wound.
"Neo!" She cried out.
He looked up at the shape, slowly coming into view. A towering woman at least two hundred centimetres tall (seven feet), long black hair which reached her waist and horns that climbed into a clear devil's imitation. Red skin tainted by dark lines that travelled across her entire body, and dressed in a breastplate and a double split skirt. Her feet were bare, but she was standing on her toes, like they had invisible heels. Glowing gold eyes stared straight through Neo as her tail curled about, giant leather wings across her back. She lifted her claws, dripping with bright red blood, and slowly slid her tongue across the scarlet substance. Her tongue sizzled and she grimaced, only to smile.
"Curious," She said in a horrid and dangerous tone. "How curious…"
With that, she spun in a circle, disappearing in a mist of shadows. After she was gone, Neo's legs buckled, and he landed on one knee. Panting and holding his chest wound, he looked at the blood on his white gloves. Quilliene gasped sharply, dropping down with a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" She demanded.
"I'm…" He winced. "Fine, I just…"
He didn't understand – why did it hurt so much? It was probably demon or devil bullshit he didn't know about. Moreover, why did she lick his blood? Didn't it hurt? Not as much as the claw marks, he assumed. He gripped his chest, gritting his teeth as he tried to stand. Quilliene attempted to help him as much as she could.
"Your majesty!"
A shout came from the door, and from the depths of the next hall, the captain of the guard appeared. She didn't have her helmet, and was limping slightly, but there was a long scratch on her cheek. Her face was contorted in worry and concern as about ten more soldiers came rushing in after.
"Your majesty, are you alright?!" She asked quickly.
"Yes, I am fine," Quilliene nodded simply. "Get some medics for Neo, would you?"
"Of course, but…" She paused. "Where did the devil go?"
"Gone," She said. "She left after wounding my bodyguard."
At those words, the guard captain waved for the others to search the grounds. They ran off, their shadows spinning in disorientation that did not match their human forms. Neo was led off to the hall by the guard captain, Quilliene following close after. All the while, Neo and the queen had the same realisation and thought.
The devil wasn't there for her. She was there for Neo.