Page 45 of The Queen

“Yes, of course.” I slipped through the door. Even if Lex hadn’t made us promise to stay together, I would have wanted to go with him. Leaving Edeth and Indra behind was no hardship, either. I couldn’t wait to get away.

“Hurry.” I tugged him down the hallway toward Shadow, who was waiting near the door to the stairs. “Let’s go.”

This was probably a bad idea, but neither of my mates complained, so off we went.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Saphyra

Asteady drip, drip, was the only sound when we stepped out of the metal-clad corridor onto the hard packed earth. No words were spoken as we hurried into the massive cavern to reach our destination.

A weight lifted from my shoulders, and despite the seriousness of our errand, I breathed more easily in the moist, still air. The light was murky and the smell, just the same, but something about being connected to the planet felt right.

I toed off my slippers, letting the damp ground soothe my feet. Grey gave me a sidelong glance when I picked up my silk shoes.

He didn’t understand, but honestly, I didn’t either.

The shimmer of many eyes blinked at us through the distant gloom as we followed a smooth dirt track along the cave wall. We passed a handful of rough-hewn archways that peppered the rock face, before entering one that looked much the same as all the others.

Shadow led the way, checking the narrow passage before beckoning us forward. Echoes of laughter and whispered conversations floated eerily through the stone halls, but whatever was said was too muffled to make out over our footfalls. Doors and makeshift windows lined the way, most barred with decorative lengths of cloth or hand-carved wooden coverings on hinges drilled into the stone. Cheery light peeked out from behind some of them, giving me a sense of warmth and family, even in this dreary warren.

Before long, a phlegmy cough sounded out, reaching us in this labyrinth of rock and mud. That must be the child we were here to see. I knew nothing about babies, but that cough sounded serious. I could only hope we weren’t too late to help.

The anticipation of seeing the baby sent a nervous shiver through me. I didn’t know how to act around babies. Students on the Hive didn’t have interaction with the younger children. They were kept in the nursery in a different part of the station.

Shadow rapped on a carved wooden door where the cough had come from, while Grey kept an eye on the surrounding area.

No one knew we were here. We had no reason to be worried, but we didn’t know who was trying to hurt us, either. Their vigilance made me wary. Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Maybe I should have stayed in my room where I was safer.

There was no time to contemplate the foolishness of my decision, because the door opened, flooding the narrow passageway with light. A harried-looking, dark-haired woman ushered us into a small living area. The harsh electric lights sent eerie shadows skittering across the low stone ceiling, but the furnishings were cozy and plush. Well-worn, wood furniture lent a softness to the craggy walls, and brightly colored throw blankets lightened what might otherwise feel like a foreboding cave.

This place was not in any way ideal, but it was something that the Hive could never be. A home. Everything about it was the opposite of the sterile metal boxes I’d endured for so long.

It was clear that the situation was not what anyone would wish for, but they poured their heart into what they had, hanging festive curtains and decorating with wooden accents. Against all odds, they hadn’t given in to the bleak reality this life could have been and made the best of it.

A weak cough and sputter followed by a phlegmy wail jarred me from my observations, reminding me why we were here. Grey returned from a room in the back and was talking in quiet tones to the woman who’d let us in. I waited until he was finished before approaching, not wanting to interrupt.

“Your Majesty, this is Robin. Robin, this is Queen Saphyra.” Grey’s smile grew as the woman’s eyes widened until she dropped to her knees.

“Your Majesty. Please forgive me. I didn’t know it was you.” She shook as she pressed her forehead against the brightly colored rug covering the stone floor.

Oh no. I was so bad at this. I cast a worried glance at Grey, who was also starting to look concerned. What should I do? I just wanted to help, but I was making everything worse. Shadow watched me expectantly from his position guarding the door. I was on my own, but I could do this.

I cleared my throat, hoping to mask the nervous quaver in my voice. “Of course you’re forgiven. Please rise.” I hoped that was the right thing to say. Why was I so awkward? My fingers twisted in my skirt to keep from wringing them, which wasn’t much of an improvement at all.

The woman rose, still looking skittish, so I went on with a nervous smile. “I’m the one that should be sorry for intruding. I only wanted to check on you and the baby.”

Grey looked relieved at my precarious save and started toward the door at the back of the living area.

I didn’t want him to leave me now that I’d drawn Robin’s attention, but I didn’t want to intrude on her privacy anymore than I already had. So, I stayed put. “How are you both doing? Is there anything at all that you need?”

“You really are just as sweet as they say.” She smiled fondly. “We are fine now that the good doctor has come. The baby, she has a wee bit of a cough, but he just told me I have no reason to worry. This is very common and not much to fuss about. Would you like to see her? She’s just through here.”

Robin followed the path Grey had taken through a yellow and blue curtain into another small room. This one was similar to the last, only darker. A glow from around the curtain shed a soft light over a small crib which was set up next to a low pallet bed piled thick with blankets.

Grey was beside the crib, his medical bag open on a side table. There was the sweetest smile on my mate’s face as he examined his tiny patient. I peeked past him and saw a pair of sparkling eyes blinking in a wrinkled pink face. The baby’s tiny mouth opened, and out came a piercing scream, followed by a wheezing cough. Oh, Stars! We’d startled her.

Grey moved quickly, scooping the child up, cradling her head and neck while he rocked her close to his chest. “Hush now. You’re okay.” He followed that with an adorable cooing I was surprised to hear come from his mouth.

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