Page 48 of The Hive

Sharp, steepled turrets pierced the sky as we rounded a floating silver platform. The palace was a series of slender, steep-sided towers held aloft by delicately arched, shimmering bridges. The centermost tower plunged into the torrent of writhing ocean swells and held all the others above the viridian waves. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. The flowing lines and elegant curves reminded me of the sea churning below if it had been made of liquid metal.

I didn’t have time to gawk as Ghost followed the starfighter down and under one of the bridges to an open hangar bay. It didn’t look like a main entrance or even a well used one. As the shadows engulfed our ship, I could see the details. There were rows of shuttles covered with dusty canvas drapes and machinery of all sorts.

When Ghost set us down next to Arkyn’s ship, I was brimming with excitement but also nerves.

In the time it had taken to arrive, my men had cleaned themselves up and looked better than I had ever seen them. Grey salvaged the suit he’d been wearing, and the rest of them were in fitted black fatigues they’d found in the under decks of the ship where the barracks were.

I tried to hide my nervous energy as I casually rushed to the hatch. Ghost chuckled, and nudged me aside so that he and Lex could exit ahead of me. Shadow and Grey took up the back, surrounding me like an honor guard.

The warm, moist breeze was a heavy weight on my chest. It was thick, soupy, and difficult to breathe. The smell was fresh and vibrant, even overshadowed by the scent of dust and grime from the hangar. I coughed and cleared my throat, hoping to ease the passage of air to my lungs as my alphas walked up and shook hands with Arkyn.

They were all smiles, like old friends, and it made sense that they would be. But that left Grey and me to stand back like outsiders.

Ghost noticed we’d been left out, and returned to my side to introduce us to his brother, ace pilot Arkyn Brand. Their resemblance was obvious, both long and lean and athletic, except Ghost was fairer of hair and eye. Arkyn had blond hair, not as dark or golden as Lex’s, and brilliant, flashing sky-blue eyes.

He caught me studying him and shot me a wink. Ghost saw the whole interaction and elbowed him in the ribs. “No, no more. We have enough already.”

The look on my alpha’s faces was murderous, but Arkyn started laughing like it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. His carefree nonchalance made me smile. He wasn’t afraid of them either, and I liked him better for it.

“If you boys are done, I think we have things to do?” I asked, looking around this long-forgotten storeroom. It seemed unlikely that we’d find the king here.

“Yeah, so, I commed ahead and everything’s arranged. Come on.” Arkyn’s infectious smile never wavered as he led us out of the storage bay and into the deserted back halls of the palace.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Saphyra

After traversing a maze of hallways, we finally arrived at a set of tall, silver doors. Without knocking, Arkyn pushed them open and ushered us in. Massive windows took up the entire far wall, and beautiful gray and blue decor echoed the view of white-capped waves outside.

At the head of a long, sleek table sat a dark-haired man in a formal-looking sea-blue coat. His elegant fingers steepled, his forehead resting against them. I couldn’t see his expression because his head was bowed as if consumed in thought.

Lex stepped forward to lead the group, but as soon as he saw the weary-looking gentleman, he stopped short. “That’s not the king.” He turned an accusing eye on Arkyn, who was still grinning but backing up with his hands up.

“You said you didn’t want anyone to know you were here. This was the best way. Don’t look at me. I was doing you a favor,” Arkyn said.

The doors banged shut behind us as another alpha in a black suit entered. It was getting crowded in here and the testosterone was enough to drown in.

The newcomer spoke up in a confident, aristocratic voice with a hint of an accent. “You should be grateful that he did. If he’d contacted the king, as you’d requested, you’d all be in the brig, and your lovely companion would be on her way back to the Imperatrix.” He took a long inhale, his eyes flashing gold under a fall of chestnut hair.

“Lucas,” Lex grumbled in warning and shifted his stance. Things were getting tense, and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

My alphas stepped closer to me, but Arkyn smirked and leaned against the far wall, well out of the line of fire as if nothing was wrong.

The black-haired alpha, who was sitting at the head of the table, rose. “Everyone, calm down. I’m not sending anyone to the brig.” The silent yet seemed heavily implied. “Would you like any refreshments? I understand your journey was arduous.”

“We aren’t here for pleasantries, Omen. We need to speak to your father,” Lex said, trying to split his attention between Lucas, barring the door, and the man at the table.

“Why don’t we all sit down and discuss what’s going to happen? You’re on my planet, with a stolen ship and an unregistered omega. I’d like to know why.” Omen’s cultured drawl held a sharpness of unquestioned command. He spoke as if he was used to being obeyed, and it got my alphas’ hackles up.

No one moved, and it seemed like this stand-off might continue forever. So, instead of waiting to see what they were going to do, I made my way to the table. Much to my surprise, the dark-haired Omen slid a chair out for me and tucked it courteously against the back of my legs as I sat. The smile he gave me was charming, but didn’t reach the deep sea green of his eyes.

My men shifted uncomfortably. Grey was the first one to join me, and then Ghost and Lex. Shadow was the last, eyeing Lucas by the door.

Omen took his seat at the head of the table again and addressed me directly. “I apologize, we’ve not been properly introduced. Things must be done differently on Verden these days. It seems they’ve lost sight of any manners they once had. My name is Prince Omen, heir to the throne of Arden. The alpha guarding the door is Lucas, my trusted advisor. And you, my lovely omega?”

I bristled at the insult directed at my alphas, even if he wasn’t wrong. My entire group was being incredibly rude. “It’s my pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Saphyra.”

Omen shared a look with Lex before turning his sea-green gaze back to me. “So, you’re Saphyra, the supposed long-lost Princess of Verden. That’s very interesting. It explains some things, but not why you’ve come here.”

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