Page 60 of The Queen

He made no comment about my casual closeness with Lex, but a small smile lifted at the corner of his mouth. “There was a deep space communication from the Prince of Arden two weeks ago. The Imperatrix dispatched a contingent of ships, but he wasn’t certain where she sent them. I received word from our outer perimeter scouts moments ago that they’ve been spotted. I don’t know how to soften this information. They are on a direct course to Verden. They’re coming here. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. We knew this would happen, just not when. Their vanguard, the forward scouts and faster ships, is a little less than twenty-four hours out, so we no longer have the luxury of time.”

A tingle of nerves zipped across my skin. “All right. This is something we’ve been expecting. And there’s still no way to fend them off with our current resources?”

“It’s unlikely, even with the ships Arden sent. The vanguard, maybe, but not once the bulk of the armada gets here. We need the defense shield up if we’re to stand any chance.” Fenix confirmed my fears.

Before today, I didn’t even know a shield existed. I had no idea how it worked or even if it could work again. My heart sank, and I closed my eyes. Was that it, then? Was this all over, just like that? I didn’t want to give up, and my mind raced for a solution.

Something I’d heard at the coronation had me lifting my head. “What about the shield condenser? Could that fix it?”

I didn’t understand it at the time, but the duke had mentioned needing the condenser for the shield earlier.

“It hasn’t worked in ten years. The main control center for it is at the old capital, probably buried by rubble.” Ghost replied. His eyes were narrowed with suspicion, like he thought I was up to something.

He was right.

“Okay.” My hand found my mother’s book inside the pocket of my skirt where I’d hidden it away. “I think I know what we need to do. With a slight alteration, we should move forward with the current plan to travel to the old capital. Is everyone ready?”

I looked around at all my mates. Worry etched Grey’s brow, but Ghost’s face was plastered with a suspicious smile. Shadow was intense, as if he could kill someone with his scowl alone. And Lex behind me, watching, ready to back me up if I needed it.

Each one nodded, and Fenix stepped forward. “Don’t worry, we won’t let you down.” His eyes blazed with excitement.

Less than twenty-four hours until my dreams of freedom fell apart. We needed that shield to work before the armada arrived, and there was only one way to make that happen. We had to get the condenser running.

Chapter Forty

Saphyra

Before our uninvited guests arrived, there were things to do.

With my aurinium and emerald crown securely perched back atop my golden braids, I shuffled to the next scheduled task with my fingers around Grey’s elbow. Titus, with Edeth at his side, led the way through twisting corridors, all with pleasing wooden floors and crystal light fixtures. They were eerily empty. Not a single maid or member of the household staff were visible. Where was everyone?

Seeking comfort, I squeezed Grey’s arm where my hand rested on it, and he turned a curious eye to me. My heart swelled with warmth. He was mine, and I was his. At least that part of the plan had gone well.

The day had been taxing, but he looked better than he had in a long time. His eyes were the sharp metallic storm cloud I’d always loved. Watching his profile as we walked made me want to drag him away somewhere, but there were too many eyes on us today.

There was no way to tell who might be watching now. If someone was out to get us, this would be a perfect opportunity. We weren’t going to give them that chance. Everything had to go on as normal. Cautious but normal.

The formal dinner was in the noble’s banquet hall near the throne room. It was a grand affair, with plates overflowing on a long, polished wooden table. Chandeliers cast a cheery glow over the immaculate spread.

Lex pulled out the chair at the head of the table for me, and I sat self-consciously. Everyone was watching us. The rest of my mates found seats on either side of me and the other nobles were arranged down the length, leaving the other end empty for my consort. Edeth sat to Titus’s right, about halfway down the table, casting side-long glances toward where we sat. I chose to ignore her, but wondered what she was looking for.

While the nobles feasted on the bounty, my mates and I pushed our food around, so it looked like we were eating. We couldn’t risk another episode after what happened at the last dinner party, not with the enemy on our doorstep, but we also didn’t want to raise suspicion.

Wine flowed. Everyone celebrated, laughing with good cheer. Even Edeth’s attention was diverted by Lady Baxter, sitting beside her, dripping in jewels. The myriad of conversations around the table was overshadowed by the women’s boisterous laughter. But as the meal wore on, more and more nobles lifted their glasses in my direction. I smiled and returned the gesture, but never let my guard down.

When the farce was finally done, I pulled a maid aside to make sure any leftovers made it down to the pit. Whoever was after us wouldn’t poison the feast. That would make everyone sick, and even if it was drugged like the last banquet, it wouldn’t cause any harm to the betas in the lower sector.

I wondered if this was how it’d been before I arrived or if this feasting was for my benefit. It certainly didn’t seem like these people were lacking for anything. Thinking about the nobles sitting up here in their banquet halls stuffing their faces while everyone else lived off scraps in the mud made me uncomfortable.

There was only so much I could do right now, though. One problem at a time.

The next problem was the ball. Still wearing my crown and heavy coronation gown, I didn’t know if I’d survive it. My feet and neck hurt, and I was hungry after sitting in front of a delicious feast I couldn’t risk eating.

As if reading my thoughts, Lex had already arranged for Violet to deliver food to Axion’s quarters. Nothing fancy, and Grey tested it all before we ate. Without that, I would’ve been very unpleasant to be around.

With the imminent arrival of enemy ships weighing on my mind, I was doing my best to stay calm. The planetary defense shield was the only thing that would ensure long-term safety. That was my main focus. And I still didn’t know if we could fix it, or even reach it in the ruins. As soon as this was over, we were going to find out.

Unlike the banquet, I’d been looking forward to the excitement of a ball. That sort of thinking had been frowned upon on the Hive, but I’d hung onto some of my dreams and slowly, they were all becoming reality.

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