Page 13 of The Hive Queen

When my vision returns, Lord Marius kneels in front of my cage, an indecipherable expression on his face. Unlike his daughter, his hair is dark as soot, but the golden glow of his skin is the same, like the sun could not help but kiss his flesh. It looks better on his daughter, and I strain to see Merripen once more, mirage though it may be. But even through the haze of water in my eyes, I can’t pretend he’s someone else.

“What do you want, old man?” I croak out, so thirsty that even the salt water below fills me with yearning. “Didn’t you see I was in the middle of dying?”

His full lips, so much like my lady love, flatten into a thin line. “It is rare to find you alone. I took the opportunity presented.”

“Take it faster next time.” I cough and spit up more water. “Or better yet, free me and be done with it. This wishy-washy attitude does not befit a High Lord.”

He ignores my words. “I heard from Merripen today.”

My eyes jerk up to his. “Will she come for me?”

He cocks his head to the side. “She thinks you’re dead, and I’d rather it stay that way unless there is a chance of true freedom for you. I won’t have you running back to her and putting her in danger.”

“Funny, coming from the man who signed her death warrant.” I let my head drop back to the grate. “Did you just come to brag that there’s a chance of reconciliation in your future? Should I celebrate for you?”

“Bitterness does not become you, Darius.” He stands and brushes off his white robes. “Time with Marceau has changed you. You were such an honorable and well-behaved guard until you met him.”

“And look where it got me,” I spit out. “I killed your daughter, my love, just like I was told. What more does the High Court want from me?”

“I do not forget what I demanded of you, nor the sacrifice you made. Intention matters to me.” He stares down at me without compassion. “I would honor your boon, if it were mine to give.”

“Did you seriously come here to tell me I’m fucked?” I lift my head, my neck muscles straining. “Well, fuck you, too, Marius!”

He stands unmoved in the face of my rage. “No, I came to see if you were still sane. Few would be, after so long in Lady Casira’s care.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “And are you satisfied?”

His head dips. “I will ask for your contract to be transferred to me. But it will take time. Lord Talkis is not easily swayed when he’s made up his mind.”

“Don’t do this to me.” I know full well how stubborn slag demons can be. Rocks, even intelligent ones, are not given to change easily. “Don’t give me hope.”

“Keep hold of your sanity.” Lord Marius turns to stride for the stairs. “I will not free a madman into the world where my daughter lives.”

“How long?” I shout after him.

His answer drifts up to me. “As long as it takes.”

“No, how long have I been here?” I demand.

“I am sorry for this next part,” Lord Marius responds, ignoring my question. “But I must put you back where I found you.”

The chains slacken, and the cage plummets once more.

“Damn you, Mar—” Icy water covers my head, cutting off my words.

Hope blooms inside me, though, for the first time since I woke in this torture chamber. Desperately, I swim toward the bottom of the cage and the touchstone trapped there.

Lord Marius may have a plan to free me, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on escape.

treasure hunting

- Marc -

Jolting upright,I come out of the light doze I had fallen into, an immense pressure on my chest making it impossible to breathe.

I hunch forward on the hard plastic seat beneath me, mouth gasping, but nothing getting past the tight constriction in my throat. The floor vibrates beneath my feet while a sense of motion leaves me disoriented and dizzy. For a moment, my vision wavers, like seeing through a haze of water.

A hard thump on my back kickstarts my system, and oxygen floods my lungs. I drag in several deep breaths before looking over at Trent, who sits on the bench next to me.

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