Page 3 of The Queen

“Apologies for my tardiness. Edeth, my wife, is busy making arrangements for the upcoming coronation and needed my assistance briefly. Why don’t we have a seat now that we’re all here? There’s quite a bit to discuss,” Titus said, lowering himself into a comfortable-looking leather chair behind his desk.

No one moved. I was confused. I wanted to ask more about Edeth, but everyone was looking at me expectantly. Maybe they were waiting for me to sit first. I didn’t know how this was supposed to work, but I was eager to get it over with and find out what had everyone on edge. With Grey’s hand still in mine, I towed him to where five finely crafted wooden chairs had been arranged in front of the desk, and slid into the one next to Ghost. Grey sat on my other side, leaving Lex to choose one of the last two seats.

Titus cleared his throat and sent a meaningful look at Shadow, who hadn’t moved from his place against the wall.

“Valyx, if you wouldn’t mind having a seat, so we may proceed?” the Regent asked of the dark haired alpha.

It was going to take some time getting used to everyone calling Shadow Valyx. It was his name, but I preferred the nicknames I’d given him and Ghost, whose name was actually Axion. I wondered if it was inappropriate to keep using them now that we were free of the Hive.

Shadow moved silently away from the wall, but instead of going to the remaining chair, he moved to stand behind me. His smokey scent wrapped around me and the whisper of his hand brushed against my shoulder. He said nothing, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed his face remained a granite mask. He was never much for words, but his actions seemed unusual.

Titus nodded, resigned that this was as close to proper decorum as we were going to get. “I asked you all here for a few reasons. The rightful queen has returned, which means certain things have to happen. We need to hold the coronation and officially pass power from the regency back to the monarchy. There is also the matter of marriage and mate bonding, and the perpetuation of your bloodline, Saphyra. Are you already pregnant?” he asked. A hard look passed between him and his son.

Lex clenched his jaw, the muscles of his cheeks bunching with unease.

I sat in shocked silence, unsure how to reply, or even why something like this was being brought up. Thankfully, I was saved from having to respond.

Grey rushed in, trying to defuse the growing tension. “No, Saphyra is not with child. Certain steps were taken to delay her estrus, which may have affected her fertility. It should correct itself in time.”

“I hope you’re right, for all our sakes.” Titus shifted in his chair. He seemed strangely uneasy about Grey’s reply.

Having gained some composure, I joined the conversation. “Please excuse me for not understanding, but what do you mean for all of our sakes? And why is that topic a matter of state?” I sat up straighter in my chair, confused why this was being discussed. Fertility was a common concern on the Hive, so I wasn’t uncomfortable talking about it, but I was surprised Titus would mention it, especially after what I’d just been through.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the legend of the queens. Your effect on the weather only solidifies my belief that there is merit to the tales. We can’t risk losing that.”

“I still don’t understand. I don’t know of any legend regarding queens. Fantasy stories were frowned upon on the Hive. We were only taught things that would keep our minds occupied and their lies alive,” I said, bitterness creeping into my tone. I was interested in the legends I’d heard whispers of and hoped this might distract him from the other, less comfortable topics.

His eyes lit up, and he leaned forward over his desk, steepling his hands. “Well, you see, the legend tells that our suns, Sora and Sona, were once alone in the sky with only one another for company. They were sisters and the best of friends, but eventually they grew bored with dancing through the endless empty expanse. They resolved to create daughters to love who would dance with them. The first born were Pyxis and Pyraxis, hot and fiery like their mothers. Then Arden, Verden, and Faeren. Altaira came after that, and then the outer planets, one by one. While that was enough for Sona and Sora, their daughters were lonely too, and wanted something for themselves. They birthed the first omegas to be their caretakers and companions. People came from other star systems and settled on the planets. Some lived in harmony with the omegas and some did not, but as long as a descendant of the original omega remained, the land prospered. As time went on, the stories turned to myths and the records of the omega bloodlines were lost. Omegas became more scarce, and planets withered and died. Not everyone believes it, but after what happened when you were taken, I think there is a possibility that at least some of it is true.”

I leaned in, listening to the tale. “That certainly sounds like a wonderful fantasy.”

Grey’s brows drew together. “That’s not scientifically possible. There must be some logical explanation.”

“Indeed, there might be. It is just a legend, after all. Consider, though, Saphyra’s arrival ended ten years of drought. Over the last week, we’ve had more rain than in the last five years combined. There’s been no flooding or ill effects, either. I don’t know the cause, but I am happy for it,” Titus said, leaning back in his chair.

“That is strange, but it could be a coincidence.” I wasn’t ready to buy into this superstitious line of thinking, but I understood why it couldn’t be ruled out.

Titus shrugged his wide shoulders. “Strange, yes, but plausible. Which brings us back to the topic at hand. I’ve scheduled your coronation for later this week. You’ll need to select a king consort as quickly as possible. They’ll assist with your leadership role. I would suggest my son, Alexi. He’s trained for it, and you’re already acquainted. It is up to you in the end. Any alpha from Verden will do.”

All my men shifted in their seats and shuffled around me. The slight against Grey was clear. It couldn’t be him, and that didn’t sit well with me. “I don’t want to choose. They’re all my mates.”

“Are they? Only one bears your mark and you bear none. You would do well to pick an alpha and complete the bond swiftly. There’s no telling what could happen if you tried to complete more. All the bonds might dissolve, or worse. It’s just not done.” Titus rose from his chair to tower over us.

I wasn’t sure if he was trying to intimidate me, but I didn’t like it. Something compelled me to stand, but even on my feet, he was still imposing. “I don’t care what is done or is not done. The decision is ours. I will decide when I am ready, but I won’t choose between them.”

My men stood, but my glare never left Titus.

“Very well. It is your choice, but I must caution you. Your greed may be our downfall.”

I felt like I’d been slapped. My eyes stung and my gaze dropped away. What if he was right? Was I being greedy? What if I did have to choose? That wasn’t something I was ready to confront. Overwhelmed by what I’d learned and the possibilities of what I was being asked to do, I turned toward the door. The path was barred by towering bodies, but I pushed my way past and fled. I needed time to think.

I ran through the corridors, not stopping until I reached the Pit. My fingers wrapped around the metal railing and I panted, catching my breath. Darkness loomed below and echoes of voices and sound carried through the empty air.

I sniffed back the tears threatening to fall. Today was crumbling to shambles, and it wasn’t even lunch yet. All the questions that seemed so important this morning had been forgotten in the wake of my emotion. Everything was turning out to be more complicated than I’d imagined, and I hadn’t even been crowned yet.

This new life was overwhelming. I thought I could do it. I thought we could do this together. But all of my men had distanced themselves, and now I knew why. It was just like the Hive, except here, I was trapped underground instead of in space. I wanted to help, but again, I was being dictated to. There were rules and expectations that I didn’t understand or agree with. I was adrift and alone, stuck inside another metal box.

My hands squeezed the railing as the first tears slid down my cheeks and I watched as the tiny droplets caught the light before disappearing into the abyss below. It was just like my life, a glimmer of hope fading into the darkness. All my plans smashed to pieces at the bottom of an empty pit.

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