Page 46 of The Queen

Robin hurried to his side, plucking the baby from my mate’s arms.

Grey’s smile fell, but he quickly recovered his composure. “All her vitals are good. There was a buildup of mucus and minor dehydration, which was the cause of the cough and noisy breathing. Keep her airway clear and up her feeding schedule. More fluids and increased humidity will help too. It should resolve on its own in a couple of days. If it doesn’t, or if it gets worse, send for Melody. She’ll know what to do if I’m unavailable.”

We both knew we’d be leaving soon, but didn’t want anyone else to learn of our plan just yet. I was relieved to know there was another medic that Grey trusted to help her while we were gone.

The baby quieted as soon as she was in her mother’s arms. The gentle rocking motion soothing her to a light doze.

Robin must have noticed my interest because she walked over to me so I could see the baby in the light. “Her name is Esmeralda. We named her after your mother. She was such a wonderful queen, and we miss her very much.” Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears.

“Thank you, that is very kind. I’m so honored that you would name your child after my mother.” I tried to keep the depth of emotion from my words, but my voice broke over the last line, and I choked on the pain of loss. But alongside that loss, my heart swelled with the love of this mother for her child.

“Would you like to hold her?” Robin asked.

“Oh, I really couldn’t. What if she woke up?” Truth be told, I was scared, even as I longed to take her up on the offer.

She took the decision from me when she hefted the tiny bundle over to me. My hands reached out as if by instinct, and before I had time to think about it, baby Esmeralda was tucked into my arms, with her mother beaming happily at us both.

Her tiny face bunched before she let out a wail of disapproval. I started bouncing her gently and cooing, just like Grey had earlier. Within a moment, she’d stopped crying. I nearly laughed with relief, having thought I’d done something wrong.

Grey’s gaze softened and his face seemed to fill with longing as he watched me soothing the child. There was a moment of quiet contentment between us when our eyes met. I hadn’t considered what it might feel like to have a family of my own. That wasn’t how it worked on the Hive, but here, it was a real possibility.

“I think she likes you,” Robin said with a quiet murmur before offering to take the baby back to her crib.

I reluctantly let her go, but was relieved knowing that she was safe here with her family that loved her.

Chapter Thirty

Saphyra

After bidding Robin and Esmeralda goodbye, we stepped back into the narrow maze of stone corridors. I was filled with wonder at what we’d just witnessed. The first omega baby born in a decade. She was a miracle.

Was this another sign of the planet healing? I’d probably never fully understand, but I hoped my presence had helped bring it about in some small way.

Shadow led us through the winding passage, watchful and quiet as always. Sounds of life floated down the halls, increasing in volume as we grew closer to the central cavern.

The muddy streets, that had been abandoned when we’d arrived, were filled with pedestrians all shuffling and whispering amongst themselves. When we stepped from the arched opening back into the massive main chamber, a hush overtook the crowd that had gathered while we’d visited Robin and the baby.

Shadow took my hand, pulling me in closer behind him. I was too busy studying the citizens to take much notice of his caution. Pale, dirty, exhausted faces watched me with expressions of awe and reverence I didn’t deserve. I’d done nothing to help them and yet, one by one, like a tidal wave, they all dropped to their knees.

I wasn’t worthy of their fealty, not yet. There was so much still to do before I would have any right to this sort of reception, if I ever did.

Shadow tugged my hand, moving me down the road between the bowing people. I tried to smile and show my appreciation, but their tattered clothes and sunken cheeks were like plasma shots to my heart. I wanted to lift them up and tell them I didn’t deserve this, but the hope on their faces stopped me. They were counting on me. My return to Verden was a promise of a better life to many of these people.

I didn’t know how or what I would have to do, but I would find a way to be what they needed.

As we made our way through the crowd, I caught glimpses of the oak sapling between the gathered assembly. Smooth, dark stones surrounded it, creating a small barrier. People moved past it, keeping a careful distance. Maybe they saw it the same way I did, as a symbol of hope in the dreary darkness.

I couldn’t run from this place. There would be no leaving. Not until these people were safe again, and probably not even then. My problems were piled one on top of the other, and more were surely on the horizon, but I couldn’t hide from my responsibilities. I’d never really wanted to, even if it was the easier path. The strength of every person trapped under this mountain motivated and inspired me to keep trying.

There was a tug at my skirt, halting my progress. I pulled Shadow to a stop and turned to see what my hem had caught on, only to find a dirty-faced child with deep dimples smiling up at me. In a tiny, grubby hand, he held out a sprig of something purple. Grey moved in closer to my side as if to protect me from this innocent-faced young boy. Shadow scowled, and I hesitated.

“What’s wrong with you both? He’s just a child.” I reached out to accept the cluster of purple flowers. As soon as it landed in my hand, the boy darted away and vanished into the crowd that had risen to their feet and now lined the street.

Grey looked at the spray of violet-colored blossoms in my grip. “That’s larkspur.” His brows drew together, studying it more closely. “Which is poisonous.”

A shocked gasp slipped past my lips, and I released my hold on the flower. It tumbled to the muddy cavern floor like a cursed omen.

“Poison?” Shock thundered through my veins.

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