Responses to Reviews:

yoitsyourstruly: Yay, you're back! It was so close… sorry! Hopefully you had enough patience to last you till now, I really do wish I could have updated earlier.

thedarkwhiteangel: Sorry… :( They'll be okay… maybe. Haha

Jillessa Heronstairs: Good luck with Brian, and the potato yam hybrid babies. ;) I would be so happy if you loved my story as much as Brian… haha. And don't worry, she didn't die, or get stabbed by a banana. ;)

Sadie: Thank you! Sorry I couldn't update sooner.

Jem shifted uncomfortably on the back of the horse, where he sat in front of a guard. His wrists were chained together with manacles, and as the horse trotted along the cobblestone path leading to the castle, he felt like a trophy or prize being paraded to the King. He was eerily reminded of the hunters carrying a slain deer draped over the front of their horse.

Glancing over to his right, his eyes met Tessa's, who was bound in a similar position. He quickly looked away, guilt squeezing at his heart. It had been his idea to go to Airedale, after all. If they hadn't gone, this would never have happened. Not to mention, if she had gone with Will or someone else, they probably would have been able to save her. He, on the other hand, had failed miserably, freezing up when the guard had held her captive. Now Tessa was to be delivered to the one man they all feared the most.

Their journey had taken quite a few days, the long days of riding blurring together into a nightmare. Every day, Jem had hoped desperately that Will and the other members of the Clave would appear to miraculously save them. However, every night he was disappointed. He knew Will would stop at nothing to save them, but obviously even he wasn't quick enough to stop them from being taken to the castle. It didn't help that the guards had taken an unexpected route, and travelled through most of the night as well. They would have had a sizeable lead as well, before anyone realised they were truly missing. He knew he had to have faith though. The Clave could get them out of this, or at least, that was what he hoped with all his heart.

Jem had considered using his 'gift' to draw the guards' strength many times along the journey. When they allowed him a sip of water, or a bite of bread, he had thought about how easy it would have been to wrap his chained hands around their arm. He felt sure that he could draw all of someone's strength if he needed to. However, each time the thought made him sick, and he didn't act on it. He knew this hesitation made him weak, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Even if he did, the two guards had met up with the rest of their group of six, so he was still sorely outnumbered. Revealing that particular ability for nothing would have not been to their benefit. That's what he told himself, anyway.

As they drew closer to the castle, he heard Tessa let out a gasp. He was likewise impressed by the soaring castle towers, the well-kept garden, and the large moat surrounding it all. It was unthinkable that such a beautiful, majestic castle could house such a vile King. While there was a brilliant castle constructed by King Elias, in his home kingdom of Asiana, where he had spent some of his childhood, it didn't quite compare to this one in terms of looks.

At their arrival, the drawbridge was lowered, and Jem glanced down at the moat on either side as they crossed it. The brown, murky water looked fairly deep, and when he saw a ripple, he was almost certain that there was some form of sea creature lurking under the surface of the water, awaiting someone foolish enough to swim in it.

After their crossing, the drawbridge was once again pulled up, and Jem despaired at how hard the castle would be for the Clave to penetrate. Glancing around, he noticed the gardens on each side of the pathway were decorated with blooming flowers – which were starting to fall, signalling the upcoming Winter - and bushes which were perfectly manicured, with not a leaf out of place. As a stark contrast to this beauty, Mortmain had constructed hanging cages, the bars rusty and blood stained. Jem quickly looked away, not wanting to think about the poor souls who had been imprisoned there in the past.

Soon they were pulled off the horses and rushed inside. They passed the corridors so quickly that Jem had little time to form the layout in his head, let alone observe the decorations. His captor knocked on the door, before entering the throne room, pulling Jem along behind him. A few more guards fell into step behind them, holding spears pointing towards them, in case they tried any subterfuge.

Before he was fully prepared, Jem found himself face to face with none other than King Mortmain, in all his glory. The King lounged on his throne, although his sharp light grey eyes seemed to assess them closely. His hair was starting to grey, no doubt due to the rigors and stresses that came with being the King, and like many men, had side burns and a small beard. While sitting in the chair he didn't appear very tall, but he seemed to ooze an aura of authority and power. Jem's guard forced him to his knees, in a gesture of submission and Tessa's guard did the same to her.

In a smaller chair off to the side, sat a young woman with long, curly blonde hair, and intense emerald green eyes. Jem found himself staring at her in confusion, wondering who she was. It was certainly not the Queen, whom Jem had been tasked with checking up on. No, this woman was younger, and colder, he could tell as her eyes narrowed and seemed to pin him in place. She looked perfectly at ease beside the King, and she tapped her fingers against the chair impatiently. Could she be who he suspected she was? He'd always thought it was just a rumour…

A guard struck him on the back of his head when he didn't lower his head, and his eyes watered. "Show the proper respect," the guard snarled.

"Now, now, Brandon, that's no way to greet a guest, now is it?" Mortmain said lazily, his eyes twinkling in amusement at the situation.

"I apologise your Highness," the guard – Brandon - replied gruffly, bowing to the King.

Mortmain regarded him for a minute, before inclining his head. "You may unlock their chains."

Jem's eyes widened in disbelief at his words. Was it just because the King felt safe in a room filled with his followers, or did he really not fear them at all? Brandon bent down to stiffly undo the locks with a key he whipped out from somewhere underneath his cloak. He jerked at Jem's hands before releasing them. The message was clear – don't try anything foolish.

Jem rubbed his wrists, glancing at the red marks, before looking over towards Tessa, more worried about her welfare, since he knew his wrists would heal in no time. Tessa offered him a shaky smile as the King allowed them to rise.

Looking back at the raised dais, Jem wasn't quite sure who to look at. Both of them had piercing eyes, he felt like Mortmain was reading their thoughts, while the woman similarly seemed to silently assess them.

"As you would know, I am King Axel Mortmain the Great," the King started, a smirk gracing his face as if he dared them to argue at the self-proclaimed title. After no one protested, he gestured towards the young woman beside him. "And this is my darling daughter, Clara."

Jem couldn't help but let out a gasp at this. They had all heard the rumours of Mortmain's bastard child. But no one had really believed it, for there had been no substantial evidence. Rumours had a habit of being whispered from person to person, the truth being warped as it spread around the kingdom like a dandelion seed. It now turned out the rumour, for once, was true.

Jem knew Queen Juliana, King Elias's cousin, had not been able to bear children. This had put Mortmain's rule in danger, since he didn't have a future heir. Jem knew this had been one of the reasons King Elias had been worried for her. However, judging from the way Mortmain didn't address Clara as Princess, or mention her last name, Jem suspected that Mortmain hadn't officially claimed her. So she was stuck as his 'bastard' daughter, rightfully his firstborn, but not next in line for the throne due to her illegitimate birth.

Clara's eyes seemed to darken at his casual address, but she didn't correct him. Jem noticed her fingers curling around the armrests, although her outward expression didn't change.

"Welcome to my humble home. I've been waiting a very long time to meet you, Mistress Gray," the King stated with a satisfied smile. Jem was quite taken aback by his politeness. He seemed to be treating them like guests, as he'd mentioned earlier. It was not the reception he had been expecting at all.

When Tessa didn't reply, he looked unsurprised, and continued, looking over at Jem. "And James Carstairs, is it? I've heard good things about your 'gift.' We haven't had a healer in quite some time. You'll fit in quite well here."

Looking taken aback, Jem took a moment to let his words sink in. "I'm here under King Elias's orders. I'm afraid I can't stay here, and neither can Tessa. He'll be expecting me to go back soon."

Mortmain merely waved his concerns away. "I'm sure Elias can share," he replied, purposely leaving out his title. He then lowered his voice slyly, as if sharing something of great importance. "Anyway, he doesn't have to know you're here, now does he? It can be our little secret."

"So you're holding me here against my will?" Jem surmised, looking at him aghast. He heard Clara let out a soft peal of laughter at his words.

Mortmain leaned forward in his seat, staring at Jem intently. "Have you heard about my 'gift'? I can read people's desires as plain as day. You desire to help people, to heal them. I'm sure you'd prefer to help out in the infirmary than to sit rotting in a dungeon. And as for Tessa," he said with a cunning grin, his eyes flicking over to her. "I know you wouldn't leave without her. So I have no doubt you'll put your talents to good use. And to help keep you on track, Clara will supervise your work. I'm sure you'll find her quite…" he paused, searching for the right word, "persuasive."

Jem looked over at her, seeing her face light up in obvious delight. "Oh, I'm sure I can help out, father," she stated, staring at Jem a little too keenly for his liking. "I have been rather bored lately. It's nice of you to give me a present as a reward."

At this, Tessa finally spoke up, glaring at Mortmain. "Jem is not a plaything for your amusement. And what exactly are you referring to when you say persuasive?"

Jem reached up to push his hair out of his eyes, wincing when the guards pointed their weapons at him because of the sudden movement. He appreciated Tessa worrying about his welfare, but he was more concerned about hers. After all, his 'gift' was valuable enough that Mortmain wouldn't be getting rid of him any time soon.

Mortmain's grin widened, and he cocked his head to the side. "Clara has a 'gift' of her own. Persuasion, just like your friend, Will. So you should know the effects first hand, I can imagine. However, Clara's of course works on the opposite gender."

Tessa blushed at his implied comment about Will, and Jem's eyes widened as Clara grinned at him. He'd always trusted Will to use his 'gift' wisely, so such power didn't seem so daunting. But in the hands of someone related to Mortmain, it was a fearsome thought. The most worrisome part was that he had no idea what she was like, and what she'd make him do. If her 'gift' worked on him, there was no telling what he may be forced to do.

"Don't look so scared, darling," Clara smirked, her voice sickly sweet. "We'll have a good time."

At this, Tessa marched forward, her fists clenched. "If you dare-" she started, before she was restrained and pull backwards by the guards.

Clara grinned in amusement. "If I dare what? Don't worry, I'll take good care of him."

Knowing he couldn't change his fate, and worrying more about Tessa's, he brought the conversation back to her. "What about Tessa? What are your plans for her?"

Mortmain shrugged, as if indifferent, although Jem knew that was far from the case. "That's really none of your business. I'm afraid you don't get to know. But I have been waiting for her for quite a while. She'll be very helpful, just like yourself."

Feeling a chill run through him, he glanced over at Tessa in despair. However, she straightened her shoulders, and stood her full height. She wasn't broken yet. Happy to see the fire back in her eyes, he almost smiled.

"Let Jem go, and I'll help you," she bargained, staring the King down stubbornly. Jem protested, shaking his head and trying to catch her eye, but she didn't look his way.

Clara likewise hissed, and Mortmain shook his head, seemingly amused. "I'm afraid he is too great of an asset to let go. But I promise he'll be taken care of."

"Well, there's no way that I'm helping you then," she retorted, her posture rigid as she folded her arms.

His expression unchanging, the King leaned back in his chair smugly. "Oh, I know you'll come around. Some time spent contemplating your decision in the dungeon may be beneficial for you."

Jem's eyes widened, and his feelings of helplessness increased. The thought of Tessa locked in the dungeon made him feel physically ill. While Tessa didn't protest, Jem certainly did.

"Please, King Mortmain," Jem begged, careful to use his title to appeal to his vanity. "You don't need to do that. You have me and I'll help you. You don't need Tessa too."

Mortmain sighed. "I don't have time for your begging, as amusing as it may be. I have other matters to attend to." He clapped his hands together. "Guards, escort Tessa to the dungeons. Clara, I put you in charge of Jem for the time being."

Jem struggled against a guard, as the rest of them took Tessa by the arm and led her out of the room, before he could even say goodbye.

When Tessa was gone, Clara descended from the dais, and paused close to Jem. Close enough to whisper, "Come along, Jem," into his ear.

Blinking, as if in a trance, he obeyed, following her obediently, almost like a trained dog. She smirked at him, and led the way out of the room, not bothering to glance back at him. Although his thoughts screamed for him to stop, he couldn't quite fight past the fog in his brain which controlled his movements like a puppet.

So, I hope you enjoyed the change of scenery and pace. I also hope you liked the introduction of Clara, an original character I made up, who's not from the actual story, as you'd know. I've been planning her for a while though, and I think she'll be a good new character to spice things up a bit. Hopefully you'll embrace her like you did the Infernal Devices characters. :)

~ SilverJem5