Page 89 of The Queen

Saphyra’s pouty lips popped open and a trickle of longing reached me through the bond. My pulse stepped up in reply. Her beauty was ethereal, almost to the point of blinding in the sparkling spring, but I steeled myself and concentrated on the task at hand.

I handed a mug to Valyx and Axion first before approaching Lex and Saphyra. He’d been the most protective in the past, and my experience with alphas told me not to present any threat to an alpha with his omega. Especially not when she was in heat and at her most vulnerable.

“I made a tonic to help ease Saphyra’s condition. It should soothe any inclination toward rut as well.” I held out the last two mugs.

Lex passed one to Saphyra and took the other for himself with a grin, as if he noticed my caution. We’d been through this once before on the Imperatrix’s shuttle. I wasn’t interested in dealing with the guarding behavior he’d exhibited during Saphyra’s last estrus. Although he seemed calm and agreeable now, much to my surprise.

The situation on the ship had been different. They were starved for connection, running on instinct alone, having been denied their biological imperative for far too long. We’d had weeks to work through our issues then. I hoped those inclinations were resolved, as they seemed to be. The alphas had settled so much since that trip across the system, but I was very aware of what they were capable of.

Saphyra took a sip from her cup and wrinkled her nose.

“It may be bitter, but you must drink it all. All of you.” I battled the urge to put my hands on my hips. Bratty omegas could be taxing, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The alphas downed their drinks in one go and the clicks of their mugs being set aside accompanied the burbling of flowing water. Saphyra, on the other hand, was taking her time with reluctant sips. Her big golden eyes, wide and innocent, watching me. As if she thought I might relent.

She’d tried this trick on me before, many times. It hadn’t worked then either.

“You’re only making it harder on yourself. Drink it and be done, little one,” I said, and approached the edge of the stone basin.

On her next tiny sip, Valyx leaned forward and placed a finger against the bottom of her cup, holding it against her lips.

Her honey brows furrowed with indignation, but she took a gulping swallow, sputtered, then gulped again until she’d finished the entire mug.

Lex nipped at her neck, and I retrieved the empty vessel from her hand while she was distracted.

“Good. That should keep the effects of your estrus to a manageable level. I have more brewing on the fire in case you need more.” I breathed out a harried sigh as my bratty omega scrunched her nose in displeasure. “Only if you need more.”

I wasn’t done, though. I needed to tell them what I’d witnessed while I was in the meadow. “We should move as soon as Saphyra is feeling well enough. I saw ships in the valley searching through the fog. The weather bought us time, but when they don’t find anything in the ruins, I’m sure they’ll turn their attention to the surrounding mountains. As we all know, we aren’t safe here.”

The alphas’ glazed looks seemed to be clearing, but the warmth through the bond was clawing its way toward me again. The star flower tea was going to take some time to work for my little mate.

Saphyra reached for me. Who was I to deny her what she needed? I kicked off my boots, dropped my clothes on the stone shelf surrounding the pool, and waded into the steaming water to join them.

Chapter Fifty-Six

Saphyra

My mind was a cloud of heat and lust and sensation. Every ripple of water was like wildfire licking against my skin. Every sigh of wind was like hot breath stoking an inferno.

The stars burned overhead, but the dark of night pressed in on all sides. There was a hollow place behind my ribs. It was as if nothing could fill the emptiness lurking in the deepest part of myself. Something was breaking and there was no way to stop it.

I was an unfamiliar shell of myself.

Was my last heat like this? I didn’t think it was.

My belly clenched, and I let out a whimper. Grey’s eyes studied me, and his quiet calm flowed through our connection. I clung to that feeling as I slid from Lex’s lap to get to my beta mate and followed that bond like a lifeline.

His arms coiled around my naked body, and strong fingers traced the sore muscles of my back. I buried my face in his neck, and he held me as I breathed his citrus scent into my lungs. The empty ache faded, only to return in a wave of desolation.

I rubbed up against his warm skin, trying to ease the hollowness that ate at me, but it wasn’t helping. The comfort of his embrace was like sand through my fingers. I knew it was there, soft and sweet, but I couldn’t hold on to it. Nothing was working.

Frustration tightened its grip and dragged a defeated whimper from my throat.

My center fluttered again, intensifying the pain.

Grey murmured soothing words against my throat. “Don’t worry, little one. You’re going to feel better soon.” His lips brushed over his mate mark, sending tingles of relief radiating across my skin.

I arched my neck, giving him easier access to the most sensitive spot, and breathed out a moan when his teeth scraped over the healed blemish.

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