Page 49 of The Queen

“Maybe I’m being paranoid, but could someone have altered the database?” My temple throbbed along with a hot sensation licking at the mark on my neck.

“The only people with that sort of access are in this room, or the Regent.”

That sounded unlikely, but I couldn’t rule out the possibilities. “What about video? Can we see where he came from or where he went?” I hoped that would lead us to the origin of the flower, if not his identity, at least.

Axion flashed me one of his up-to-no-good grins. “Funny you should ask that.” He flicked his fingers across the read-out in front of him.

The far wall lit up with the image of a security feed. A little blond boy skipped through a nondescript corridor, knocked on a door and entered. When he came out moments later, he was carrying a tuft of purple flowers. The cameras followed him through the halls and into the civilian sector. After that, we lost him. We’d already been told that the residential ward wasn’t monitored closely, so that was no surprise.

“What is that place? The door he went into?” I asked.

“That room is registered to Indra Lochlan,” Fenix answered as his fingers flew. “Her file says she has surface clearance to forage, probably where your plant came from.”

Saphyra shifted closer to study the video. “But that doesn’t prove anything. It could still just be a flower.”

I loved that she wanted to see the best in everyone. It was one of her finest qualities. She was correct. This proved nothing, but it looked quite suspicious.

Albion leaned forward, breaking her silent vigil. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.”

I was having trouble following the conversation but found it interesting that they had ducks here. I’d never seen a duck. My Saphyra’s face wavered, and a dark haze pressed into the edges.

“Maybe it is a duck, but I’d like more proof before we go accusing people of things,” Saphyra said before slumping down into her chair.

“I can send one of my teams to check it out. We’ll call it a routine inspection. It’ll be less likely to raise suspicion that way.” Fenix shut down the camera feed on the wall. “We will get to the bottom of this. Don’t you worry, Your Majesty.”

Saphyra’s reply echoed in my ears, and I shook my head, trying to clear the fog that was suddenly clouding my vision. The conversation carried on, but I lost track of what was being said as it all ran together. Dizziness rose, and my vision darkened.

Something was very wrong.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Saphyra

Delegating the investigation to professionals was the right decision, even if it made me twitchy. Fenix’s team had the skills, resources, and time to look into it while I dealt with my other obligations. The thought of someone else handling it made me nervous, but we needed answers, and I couldn’t be everywhere at once.

I was still figuring out my role, but this was what queens were supposed to do. Delegate. I was sure of it. Otherwise, what was the point of having skilled people to help you if you didn’t use them?

Now that we knew what the situation was, we could safeguard ourselves until more details were uncovered.

Still nervous, I reached for Grey’s hand. His fingers closed around mine, cold and clammy. From the corner of my eye, he seemed more pale than usual and perspiration dotted his brow.

His condition worried me, but he’d assured me he was improving, and I’d always been able to trust his word. I gave his hand a soft squeeze of reassurance, but when he didn’t squeeze back, I whipped around. His kind, gray eyes were half-lidded and shrouded in a purple sheen.

“Grey?” I pressed his fingers between mine again, and his head drooped to the side.

“Grey!” I leapt to my feet just in time to catch him as he rolled forward, almost smacking his face on the table. “Help!”

I didn’t know who I was asking, but I knew desperation in that moment as a bolt of dread lanced through my entire being.

Warm, strong arms encircled us both, steadying and supporting me while I held my beta mate.

The comforting scent of warm oak forests cocooned me. “I think he passed out. You need to let him breathe, love,” Lex murmured against my ear.

I realized I had Grey in a death grip. With much reluctance and reassurance from Lex, I eased my hold on him. Lex lifted me away as Shadow steadied Grey.

“What’s wrong with him?” I demanded.

“He’s breathing and his pulse seems steady, but we need to get him to a healer,” Shadow said, hoisting Grey out of the chair where he’d been slumped.

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