83. Poisoned

**Serene**

She tried to wake up, but it proved difficult when she couldn't even move her legs. Darkness surrounded her. She could tell that she was laying down on something but her fingers couldn't feel the ground.

*Where am I? And why am I so cold?*

It was freezing, but at the same time it was actually comforting. She could tell her consciousness was fading away.

And strangely, it didn't alarm her.

Why should it when this happens to be the calmest she had felt for months?

The urge to close her eyes overpowered her. It was too cold. She could barely hear her heartbeat.

But she did hear laughter.

All of a sudden she felt heat on her cheeks and down her throat. "Are you going to stay like this forever? I mean, if we die, it's your fault. I hope you don't call me in the afterlife because I will never answer."

Oh no. It was *her*.

Serene saw herself standing over her. It looked like her. Same dark brown wavy hair and all. The only thing creating a difference between them was her glowing crimson eyes.

"Well, hello there!" *That* exclaimed, sporting a giant smile on its face with its fangs showing. "Are you finally coming to?"

Thanks to the warmth in her throat, Serene was able to speak. "What are you doing here?"

"What am *I* doing here? Darling, you came to me!"

"I would not come to you after you've-"

"Hurt that guy? It has been over a year! Get over yourself. He was bothering us and we both liked the way he graveled." She licked the back of her hand.

Not feeling the energy to fight, Serene resigned and turned her attention to the darkness. "Whatever. Just don't be there when I wake up."

Warmth continued to develop in her chest.

The red eyed clone smiled.

"It's too late, he called me." *She* glanced upward as if seeing someone in the sky. "Sire is calling me right now. He wants me to be here. So I won't go away, sweet Serene. I have to do my sire's bidding."

Leonard passed out a breath of relief when Serene opened her eyes again. Her eyelids fluttered, then she turned to him and smiled. Leo hugged her as tightly as his conscience would allow him to. She hugged him back. "I'm okay," he heard her whisper. He smiled in turn. "Yes, now you are."

He felt her hand rub his back.

"But what the hell happened to you?"

"I don't know," Serene responded softly. However, she had a conniving smirk on her face. Her irises changed into a burning red. "But I'm sure we'll find out soon."

__________

"How did this happen?"

The king stomped back and forth, anger evident on his face. "And they had the audacity to do it right under our roof.

Serene laid in Leo bed with tears at the corners of her eyes. Elaine sat at the edge of the bed, holding her head. "It's fine dear," Elaine said gently. "You're safe now."

"I mean no disrespect, your highness." The girl stared at her. "But am I really?"

"For now you are, at least." Among the few people allowed in the room, Laviere stood on her right, attending to her while Leonard stayed beside him, his gaze following Laviere's every move. Laviere's hand remained above her head. Violet light shone on her flesh. "I see no sign of you having any issues with your organs, blood or muscles for the moment. Other than your temperature, which higher than normal, but I see no sign of your body fighting a fever."

"I have always been more, warm, than others," Serene said. Laviere nodded. "Then you have nothing to worry about, Miss Depp. I have now declared you free from immediate danger."

Serene gave the older man a heartfelt smile. "thank you so much, sir. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to aid little old me."

"Oh please! It's not a problem at all!" Leonard stepped away as Laviere took a bow. His father sighed, sweeping a hand over his face.

"Laviere."

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Go downstairs and see if they're making the soup as you've instructed them to."

"Yes, your majesty." He looked at the two women. "I will be right back, fair ladies."

He left and Serene waved him goodbye. Leonard claimed the freely opened placed at her side. The windows were closed with the curtains drawn. He worried that she might find the place stuffy, but he understood why they had to close off the room.

Serene took in the people surrounding her. For a while she stared at Henry King as he muttered to himself in a black and white plaid shirt and black dress shoes. She turned to Elaine King. The woman was dressed in a sleeveless deep blue dress held up by the dress' collar hugging her neck. Her strawberry hair was styled into an updo. From this, Serene formed the idea the two were prepared to go out. A sly smile spread across her face before disappearing and Serene shivered. the queen immediately squeeze her hand. "Are you alright, Serene?"

She nodded. "Yes, I am fine. Thank you for worrying about me." Serene stared into her eyes. "How long was I out for? It feels like days since I last saw you guys."

Elaine's gaze softened and she covered their hands with her other one. "Not long. You were in the bath for less than an hour. After hugging Leonard you fainted again and we brought you into the bed for Laviere to examine you."

"That is so scary..." She turned to Leonard. "And you saved me."

As Serene shifted to the opposite side of the bed, the queen released her hand. His eyes followed her movements up until the moment she kissed him. He blinked, frozen, as Serene's lips left his cheek.

Her tender gaze eased the worry in his heart. "Thank you. I don't now what would have happened to me without you there."

Leo smiled softly. "It's OK. You don't need to thank me as I was only doing what I should do as your friend."

His parents watched with interest. Elaine said nothing and Henry stopped pacing.

Serene shifted her focus to the king and queen. "Your majesties, I can't imagine how you feel right now knowing that someone was poisoned under your roof, right when you're at home too! What do you plan to do when you catch the perpretrater?"

"Torture them," the king answered quickly. His wife rolled her eyes. "I will question them about their motives and then lock them up in jail," the queen said. "You won't have to worry about seeing them ever again."

"Hm." She became quiet as if considering what they told her. Elaine started feeling worried again. Maybe the young lady was still scared after nearly dying. "Your majesties, may I make one humble request?"

"You may go ahead, Serene." Henry nodded. He came closer to the bed.

Serene inhaled a deep breathe before she began. The prince listened intently.

"When you catch whoever did this, please don't punish them."