Page 35 of The Queen

The view was amazing, but a sick feeling was growing like a seed in my stomach.

Our hosts, smiling at one another, moved away, back toward the dinner table. My eyes rose to meet Lex’s. He squeezed my hand, and I took some comfort from his closeness.

“I know, love,” he said, with a slight shake of his head.

Did he though? This was his life. This was his family living in frivolous splendor. And his father’s unwillingness to explain complicated matters felt awfully familiar.

I pulled my hand free and turned back to the rest of the room. An uncomfortable-looking Shadow was backed into a corner by none other than Hazel, in a garish yellow dress, and Aster in a silky, pale blue gown. My mate’s face was a mask of pleasant interest, but I could see the casual considerations of murder behind his dark eyes.

As much as I absolutely did not want to go over there, I also didn’t want to leave him to suffer alone. I spared Lex a parting glance. He was watching the whole thing with a rueful grin, arms folded across his chest.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Saphyra

Ilugged my heavy brocade skirt behind me as I made my way to Shadow, his rescue imminent. The closer I got, the more genuine his placating smile became. His reaction made the coming confrontation somewhat easier to imagine. I still didn’t want to speak to these girls again, but realistically, there was no avoiding it.

As I approached, Shadow pushed past the sisters mid-sentence to reach me. He bowed low over my hand to a chorus of disgruntled muttering. In contrast to the annoyed complaints, both of my ex-maids turned toward me with brilliant smiles on their faces and curtsied, murmuring, “Your Majesty,” in unison.

One day, I hoped to surround myself with people who were more genuine, but for now, I’d do what I must. Unfortunately, I hadn’t planned any further than walking over, and now that I’d arrived, I was at a loss for what to say. There was nothing to talk about, at least not that was appropriate for a dinner party.

I was saved from the awkward silence by Shadow’s smokey voice. “I think dinner is ready. Shall we?”

“Yes, thank you,” I managed to reply.

I thanked the Stars that he’d saved me from this awkward encounter. He held out his hand, and I took it, grateful for the reprieve. He tucked it into the crook of his arm and led me to the massive table where more candles twinkled in greeting.

Edeth and Titus were already seated at either end, but Lex was standing with the chair to Titus’s right held out for me. Shadow escorted me to it, and Lex tucked it against the back of my thighs before taking his place opposite. Shadow sat to my right, and the sisters were left to fend for themselves at Edeth’s end of the table.

I didn’t want to be petty, but I couldn’t help my grin when even the courteous Lex didn’t assist them with their seats.

Purple wisps of twilight chase the setting suns through the windows behind the Regent’s chair. I was distracted from the celestial display when a steady stream of servants dressed in all black, whom I’d never seen before, filed in, carrying platters of food. They filled our plates until they were near to overflowing. Small talk was made as I watched the extravagant dinner unfold.

“It’s unfortunate that Axion couldn’t join us tonight. And your poor doctor friend being so ill. You’ll have to send him my best wishes when you see him next,” Edeth said with a simpering smile on her face.

“Yes, well—“ I started to say something I would probably regret. Something about it being unfortunate finding her daughters naked in my mate’s bed, too. But Shadow’s firm grip landed on my thigh and stopped the words in my throat.

“Yes, very unfortunate,” I said, instead.

Between the clicks of cutlery on delicate porcelain plates, Edeth went on, ignoring my stilted reply. “When I was your age, I served as your mother’s lady-in-waiting. It was the highest of honors. I enjoyed our time together very much. She was such a sweet and tender creature. I very much look forward to my daughters serving you in that same capacity once you’ve officially taken the throne.”

Shadow had been shifting and tugging at my skirts while we’d been chatting and just then, I felt the warmth of his calloused palm land on the bare skin above my stocking. Rational thought vanished from my mind, my omega instincts perking up at my mate’s touch, banishing the sharp reply I’d planned to give.

“Yes, of course. I feel the same.” There was no reason to start an argument now. When the time came, I would pick who I wanted.

Shadow smirked, knowing he’d been successful in distracting me.

“I’m so glad to hear that. I know there was some sort of misunderstanding, but I’m glad to hear you have a logical head on your shoulders. Sometimes omegas can be so passionate and irrational.”

Shadow’s fingers slid up my thigh and under the edge of my silky panties. My core throbbed with anticipation as the warmth of his hand ghosted over my most sensitive parts.

My anger piqued at Edeth’s words, but it was hard to focus on an appropriate reply when Shadow kept teasing me with the intimacy I was starved for. I cleared my throat to collect my thoughts, but Shadow made that impossible by scuffing his fingers across my clit, sending shivers straight down my spine. A squeak punctuated the end of my ill-conceived throat clearing.

“Logical, yes. That’s me,” I bit out and squeezed my thighs together. I had to keep it together in front of the Regent. I couldn’t afford a misstep.

Lex popped a bite of food in his mouth and chewed, but the crinkle at the corner of his eye made me think he knew exactly what was going on. I begged him with my eyes to save me. There was no way to tell if he knew what that look meant, but he joined the conversation, changing the subject. “I was looking for a book. I think it’s called Blood of the Galaxy. I thought we had a copy in the archives, but I can’t find it.”

“Ah, well, you know the archive is limited. So much was lost in the fire, and we never had the resources to rebuild,” Titus replied, dabbing gravy off of his chin with a white cloth napkin.

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