Page 67 of The Queen

A chilly, damp breeze swayed through the branches of old oak trees and pushed fluffy, charcoal clouds through the sky. Bits and pieces of bashful stars played peekaboo between the drifting fog. Between the frothy fluffs, an unusual formation took shape among the pinpricks of light, and the longer I looked, the more uneasy I got.

I nudged Lex, my concern growing. “What’s that?” I kept my voice low to avoid waking the others.

His eyes snapped open, more alert than I expected. He cleared his throat, scanning the trees for a threat. “What’s what? Where?” His words were a quiet, velvet growl, still thick with sleep.

The fog shifted, obscuring the view of the sky again. “Right… Wait. Well, it was right there. The clouds covered it. There’s a strange pattern in the stars. I don’t recognize it.”

I wasn’t an astronomer, but with the clear canopies of the cells on the Hive, students spent a lot of time star gazing.

Lex leaned over me, kissing my forehead, then reached past Grey and shoved Ghost’s shoulder.

“What the fuck?” Ghost blinked awake, shooting up to a sitting position. His movement woke Grey, who groaned at being disturbed.

Shadow was up now too, looking at me from the other side of Lex, silent and watchful. Just what I was trying to avoid. They didn’t all need to be up for this.

I grumbled. “I saw something. The next time the clouds shift apart, look. There are a series of stars that are out of place. They aren’t part of any constellation I recognize.”

Everyone was quiet, their eyes focused upward. A few moments passed in silence before the fog parted and the formation of light was visible again. They were too bright and uniform for my liking, but I wasn’t used to the sky here. It could be normal, but it didn’t feel normal to me.

Lex and Shadow looked to Ghost, who was still studying the pattern along with Grey.

“That’s because they aren’t stars. Those lights are the Imperatrix’s ships,” Ghost said.

Fear spiked through my veins. “They look so close. I hadn’t expected to be able to see them.”

Ghost reached past Grey to squeeze my hand. “Based on their speed, size, and our planetary rotation, I’m not surprised at where they are. They’re right on schedule.”

“This is why I woke up Ax. He’s the best navigator on the planet. If there was something to worry about, he’d know.” Lex wrapped his arm around me, bundling me against his chest. “You should try to sleep. We have a long day ahead of us.”

“Is there enough time? What if we’re too late? Maybe we should keep going.” I squirmed against Lex, concern overwhelming my good sense.

Grey huffed out a chuckle. “You know the timetable, little one. If they’re on track, there’s still time.”

I believed Ghost and understood the timing. I’d made the plan. The timeline had been laid out in our meeting. That didn’t stop me from worrying, even if it was over nothing. But their reassurance helped to soothe my raw nerves.

The clouds shifted again, covering the source of my fear. I wasn’t sure if I could sleep, having seen my planet’s doom bearing down on us. My mind wouldn’t turn off, and I continued to fidget.

Grey scooted closer, cupping my cheek. “Shhh, little one. I can feel your unease. Let us take care of you.”

His warm lips settled over mine as his body molded to my front. Lex’s purr rumbled against my back, and he moved my hair away from my neck for better access. He pressed kisses along my throat and across where it curved to meet my shoulder.

Warmth blossomed between my thighs and I rocked my hips, looking for the friction I was lacking. My lips parted around a needy sigh that Grey breathed in. His tongue dipped and teased mine, rationing out sweet kisses against my starved lips.

My eyes slid closed as my mates’ hands stroked my sore muscles, soothing my frazzled nerves. Lex’s mouth was hot on my neck and the nips from his teeth sent tingles straight to my core. A brush of fingertips between my legs had me mewling for more.

Their hands were everywhere. It was dark, and I couldn’t tell who the touches belonged to, but it felt incredible. Ghost’s fleeting nibbles took the place of Grey’s sweet, worshiping lips, kissing me playfully while brushes of fingertips teased their way inside my loose sleeping pants. Grey’s mouth dropped to my breasts, tugging my shirt up and exposing my skin to the cool night air. Fingers pressed past my slick entrance, finding a steady rhythm alongside others circling over my clit. More hands followed them, stretching me open around more questing digits.

My muscles fluttered and clenched at the delicious intrusion. Two fingers were joined by two more and then even more, until I was deliriously full. The pace was set in perfect cadence, each thrust coaxing me closer to the brink. Lex’s teeth skimmed my neck with the shadow of a promise. Lava burned through my blood, desperate for the feel of his bite. My longing for a bond and their skilled hands pushed me over the edge into a shuddering climax. Lex’s satisfied purr picked up again, and a wave of exhaustion rolled over me.

Ghost whispered praises against my lips before scooting back to his spot on the sleeping pallet. The greedy touches slid away until I was snuggled up between Lex and Grey once more, still panting with the aftermath of my orgasm.

“Sleep, little one. We have a lot to do in the morning,” Grey said, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

They’d distracted me from my concerns and set my mind at ease. I let the warmth and safety of their arms reassure me and soon my eyelids fluttered closed. I could worry about the ships tomorrow after we knew if the shield would hold.

It had to hold.

Surrounded by my mates and my confidence in the plan restored, I was finally able to sleep.

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