A Deal

When I woke up the next morning I felt well rested. I rolled over and saw Lloyd was still asleep. He looked so peaceful like that. He once told me it was difficult to sleep with his wings but he found a way around that. I got up carefully and walked over to the handcuffs. I picked them up and shut my eyes. Then shoved my healing power into them. I could feel them trying to shove it away but I forced it in and finally, it worked. I let out a soft sound of relief. I looked down and realized I was still naked. Whoops. I quickly grabbed some clothes and took a shower. I put on a green skirt, a blue T-shirt, a black jacket, and my boots.

I then went and picked up all our clothes and put them in the laundry hamper. After that, I brushed out my hair and braided it. Then I picked up the hamper and went to the laundry room. I dumped the clothes in the washer and turned it on. I watched the clothes go in circles for a minute then came to a decision. I pulled out my phone and called Loro. "Hello?" The voice I now hated said.

"Take the curse off," I said.

He laughed. "What makes you think I'll do that?"

"Because if you don't I won't be coming to you."

Silence then, "I want your kid."

"You aren't going to have Jonathan. It's either me or nothing."

The silence that followed told me he was thinking about it. "Alright. The curse is off. Meet me at Borg Tower."

"I will." I hung up and breathed slowly. I slipped back into our bedroom and saw he was still asleep. I left a quick note telling him my decision then snatched up the handcuffs and left. I didn't have to worry about Hydra seeing me leave because she was with Jonathan. I got to Borg Tower thirty minutes later. Loro was waiting for me. "Let's go," I said.

He hesitated. "No weapons?"

Well, I got handcuffs to use against you but I don't think those count as weapons, I mentally drawled but out loud I only said, "No." 

"Good." He snatched my wrist and the world spun. This time, I didn't pass out. So there's a small victory for me. 

I blinked in surprise. "You live in a palace?" 

He smiled. "Yes."

Crap, I was back to palace life. "So how is this going to work?" I asked not having to fake my nervousness.

"We'll be getting married in a week. I won't touch you until then." He started walking away. "Oh, and you can explore the castle on your own. the only way out is to teleport."

Good to know, I thought as I watched him go. I fingered the cuffs and tried to figure out how I was going to get them on him before I had to marry him. "Excuse me, miss?" A shy voice said.

I turned and saw a girl who could be no older than sixteen standing there. "Yes?"

"I am to be your maid."

I sighed. "I don't need one."

"Master says I'm supposed to be your maid and I have no choice but to listen, ma'am," she said.

I huffed. "Of course he did," I muttered. "What's your name?"

"Calliope but everyone calls me Cal."

"Do you like that nickname?"

She shrugged. "It's not my place to deny the master or anyone anything."

I thought for a minute. "If you were allowed to, what nickname would you choose?"

"Cally."

I smiled. "Then that's the name I'll call you."

Her eyes widened. "But the master..."

"Has no say in what I call you," I told her firmly.

She hesitated then nodded. "Okay."

"Will you please take me to my room?"

"Right this way." She led the way to a hall on the right and about eight doors down was my bedroom. It was covered in green and looked exactly like my room in the Emperor's palace. I shut my eyes. How did he what my room looked like? "Is something wrong, miss?"

My eyes snapped open. "Oh, no. And please call my Y/n."

She froze. "But..."

"You are supposed to be my maid and I want you to call me Y/n." I waited until she nodded her assent before I added, "And I'd rather us be friends. Not mistress and maid."

She blinked. "Friends?"

"Yes. How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

Okay, I was off by a year. "Okay. How did Loro get ahold of you?"

"My father owed him so he gave me to Master Loro."

Disgust filled me. "That's wrong."

She smiled sadly. "I had no choice in the matter."

I ground my teeth together. "Well, if I get out of here, I'm bringing you with me."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yes. I'll be dealing with Loro soon and once that's done I'll bring you back to your family. Okay?"

There was hope in her eyes. "Okay. I really hope that will happen."

"It will," I said confidently. I sat down on my bed to think. Cally left a few minutes later to go help in the kitchen. I pulled out my phone and saw I had six missed calls from Lloyd and about a hundred texts. I made a face and called him.

"Y/n!" Lloyd yelled.

I winced. "Hey," I said.

"Where are you?" I didn't respond and he groaned. "Y/n, please tell me where you are."

"I don't know where I am. All I know is I'm in a palace," I said softly. "He took the curse off me, Lloyd. I was able to get the cuffs to hold my power. So I have them and will use them."

"He wants to marry you though."

"I have a week before that happens, love."

He inhaled deeply. "Y/n," he whispered. "Please be careful. I love you and can't lose you."

My eyes filled with tears. "I love you too," I whispered. "But I have to do this. I can't ask you guys to risk your lives for me again." I sniffled without meaning too. "It was either I come or Jonathan and I don't want our son anywhere near Loro."

Lloyd was silent for a minute then someone else started talking to him. He responded to them and the fact that his voice was muffled told me he had moved the phone away from his mouth. Then he was back. "Y/n, we know where you are."

Panic flared through me. "Lloyd, you and the Ninja need to stay put. You are not coming here."

"You don't have to do this alone!"

"I know but I will be doing it alone, okay? I told you. I can't handle other people risking their..."

"Stop," he snapped. "I'm your husband. We have a child. Do you think no one will be upset if you die? You'll make Jonathan grow up without a mother. Is that what you want?"

I flinched. "No, but..."

"We're coming," Lloyd growled. "Whether you like it or not. We're going to do this together. Understand?"

I shut my eyes. "When will you be here?"

I heard him let out a relieved breath. "Tomorrow. Do you think you can get him to get outside?"

"Possibly." I paused. "Lloyd, there's a girl here named Calliope. She was told to be my made. Her father had owed Loro and given him his daughter. I promised her we'd bring her home after we deal with Loro."

"Then that's what we'll do."

"Okay. What time do I need to get Loro outside?"

Lloyd talked to someone. Probably Zane or Pixel. "Eleven," Lloyd said to me.

"Okay. I love you."

"Love you too."

"Bye, Lloyd."

"Bye." We hung up and I flopped backward. Will my life ever stop being hectic?