Page 66 of The Queen

Even with the tide of fog rolling across the landscape, the orange and gold of the setting suns and the ribbons of rainbows flitting through the sky sparked memories. There was a hot spring up the hill that tumbled down the bank to fill the natural stone basins. When we were children, Lex and I would play in the creek below under the watchful eye of the adults lounging in the warm waters above.

A crooked grin spread across his face. His reaction warmed my heart. We could have camped anywhere, but he brought us here, to a place where memories of my parents might return.

The crunch of his boots on the uneven ground sounded behind me, just before his arms surrounded me. I leaned into his warmth as a chilly wind rustled through the treetops. His chin settled lightly on top of my head, making me feel small but utterly protected and safe.

“I’m sorry you have to do this without your parents. As long as you want me, I’ll be here for you.” Lex’s soft purr rumbled against my back.

We stood watching the suns set and the fog wash over the land. This was what my life was supposed to be. Lex and me as stewards of the planet. But when I saw my other mates riding up the hill toward our horses, I couldn’t imagine any of this without all of them.

Lex pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Are you ready for dinner, love?”

I didn’t realize how hungry I was until the scent of campfire reached my nose and my stomach grumbled under Lex’s hands. He smiled against my hair.

“I’m starving. Hopefully they found something good. I don’t know if I can go another day on ration bars.”

He untangled himself from our embrace and held a hand out to help me down the bank and across the creek to where Shadow was feeding a fire.

Ghost arranged a brace of rabbits over the open flame, and Grey carried walnuts, blackberries, and wild onions to be prepared. I watched my mates cook over the campfire. The sights and sounds brought back memories of childhood trips with my parents.

Pavilions of green and gold would be set up, circling the central fire, and carriages would be parked outside the perimeter. I remembered visiting fishing villages along the coast this way. We’d take a shuttle when traveling further, but my mother loved her land and felt a need to be close to it. So, anytime we could, she’d insisted on camping. It was the same draw that tugged on my own instincts.

We had no such luxuries on this trip, but the simplicity of fallen logs circling the fire was perfectly fine with me. Food was passed around on plates, and my stomach was not disappointed. I didn’t think I’d eaten so well since I was a small child. Maybe ever.

My heart swelled with contentment, feeling as full as my belly.

Once I’d had my fill, I meandered to my dark, broody mate and settled myself on his lap. Shadow afforded me a grin, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me against him. Sitting there, watching my mates chat and laugh at the minor mishaps of the outing, was a strange feeling. One that made my chest ache with longing and love.

I wished it could always be like this, with our problems far away.

Shadow and Ghost chatted companionably across the fire. Ghost had been teaching Grey all about the native wildlife and edible plants on their hunt, but it sounded like it hadn’t gone very well.

“We could’ve had duck, but Grey went stomping through the shallows, scaring them before I could get a shot.” Shadow’s gravelly growl rolled across the bare skin of my neck.

“I refuse to be blamed for your lack of foresight.” Grey grinned, having taken the comment as the light-hearted rib it seemed to be. “You should’ve told me those things were food. The last ducks on Altaira went extinct generations ago. How was I supposed to know that’s what they looked like?”

I plucked a piece of rabbit off the plate sitting on the log beside us and popped it in my mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “I don’t mind. This might have been the better outcome. It’s delicious.” I was very much enjoying the wild game they’d caught, even without the duck.

Ghost was eating and watching everyone else from the opposite side of the fire. “What’s your excuse for the walnuts, then?”

“Excuse? Do I need an excuse for not understanding how little black, dirt-covered, rock-looking things would contain something edible? I was convinced it was animal excrement until Valyx ate one first. Can you really blame me? Our forage is very limited where I come from.” Grey said before putting a shelled nut in his mouth, proving his point.

I laughed, thinking back to the tree at the palace that shed little ugly shriveled black balls. It was a walnut, but I had no idea how the green fruits or dark wrinkled clods that I’d thrown at Lex when we were children turned into food. I wasn’t complaining, though. They were very good.

We sat around the fire, soaking in each other’s company. Memories tickled and teased in tiny whispers. My mates were enjoying themselves free of the prying eyes of court and the stress of their jobs. There was no malice or jealousy tonight, only joyful companionship.

I puffed out a sigh and snuggled against Shadow’s warm chest. He offered me a berry that I ate straight from his fingertips. His chuckled rumbled against my back, filling me with warmth.

We were all taking advantage of this short reprieve because there was still a long journey ahead of us. The next step would be to set out first thing tomorrow morning. Our path would leave the shelter of the trees and continue through flat farmland. I hoped the starfighters had taken the bait and followed Arkyn and Fenix, otherwise we’d be vulnerable in the open.

The rest of the armada would arrive in less than twenty-four hours. We had to get the defense shield up and we had to do it fast. I just hoped it’d be strong enough. If not, my crown wouldn’t matter at all. Nothing we’d done so far would matter. I’d be back on the Hive or dead. If I tried to pretend that the Imperatrix wasn’t here for me, I’d be lying to myself.

I knew why they’d come, and I was terrified.

Chapter Forty-Four

Saphyra

The fire burned low, giving off the faintest of glows from its banked embers, snapping and popping in the stone ringed pit we lay beside. Sleeping on the ground with only a thin mat separating us from the dirt and fallen leaves was not the most comfortable. But at least I was warm, sandwiched between Lex and Grey.