Rivka struggled to contain her cries at the onslaught, the overwhelming sensation consuming her. Alex loved it all; the breathy noises Rivka made, her moans, the way she gave up any pretense of shyness and ground her hips onto Alex’s face. She lived for it, to please her, to give her everything. She could feel her own release building, but she could wait. Her sole focus was Rivka.
Alex knew she was close; she could feel her quivering under her hands, watched as her lover caressed her breasts, kneading them, aching for that last little edge that would push her over. Alex slipped a hand between Rivka’s thighs, knowing what she needed, and thrust two fingers inside, curling them. She shattered above her and Alex welcomed the pulse and squeeze she felt, swirling her tongue across Rivka’s pussy, guiding her through her orgasm until her tremors stilled.
Alex opened her eyes, breathing heavy, slick wetness dripping between her legs. The ache was unbearable. She wanted to hold on, to live in the dream for just a little while longer. She shut her eyes tight and moved her hand down her body, electric shock zinging when her fingers parted her lips, sliding up and down through her arousal. The images from the dream remained frozen in her mind, egging her onward. She pressed the tips of her fingers to her clit and moved in faster circles. She needed to hold on to this; she had nothing else, only the dream, the dream where she was still a lover, and loved, and…
“Alexandria!” Andrew’s voice had the dream dissolving in seconds.
Fuck.
“What is it!” Alex barked, sitting up.
“The queen is missing!”
Shit.Quickly cleaning herself up and throwing some clothes on, Alex ripped the door open. Andrew stood there, panic radiating off of him.
“What the hell happened?” she demanded, shoving past him and pulling her door closed behind her.
Lowering his eyes, he tried to hide his shame. “I think I was drugged. I fell asleep on my watch. When I awoke, Queen Rivka and King Consort Ellis were both missing.”
“YOU FELL ASLEEP!?” Alex’s rage exploded, her barely contained control unraveling. “You fell asleep andlostourqueen?” She was incredulous. If it had been Colin, she wouldn’t have been all that surprised, but never Andrew.
“Yes, but like I said, we were drugged!” Andrew rushed on, trying to defend himself. Alex’s gaze pinned him, her expression deadly. “Never mind that. We’ll deal with that later. What do you mean they are missing? Where have you searched?”
“Everywhere. The palace has been cleared. We sent guards to check the market and docks.”
Alex took a deep breath, her fear threatening to choke her. She had to keep a clear head. Striding down the corridor, she slammed into Rivka’s bedchamber. The bed was unmade, the curtains still drawn. Alex noticed immediately that the armoire door was slightly ajar. Pulling it open, Alex leafed through the garments, noticing multiple items missing, not enough that would be noticed but she knew better. Wherever they had gone, they had packed for it. She decided to keep this to herself for now until she could find out more information.
Spinning, she made her way back down the corridor. A guard was sprinting towards them, panting as he skidded to a stop before them.
“Captain! There are reports from men stating that the queen and king consort were spotted boarding a ship just after midnight.”
She had been at the docks all night and hadn’t seen them. Which ship?” she asked, her voice dangerously calm.
The guard's shoulders slumped. “The one that was besieged.”
Alex’s face blanched and her eyes widened. “Are you implying that our queen has been taken?”
“We believe so.”
Her mind reeled. Why had they boarded that ship to start with and why in the dead of night? They had obviously packed. They surely didn’t plan on the attack happening. But someonemust have known. Someone who obviously meant her queen harm.
“We have to call an emergency council meeting. I will go and notify Queen Regent Sophiana.” Alex commanded. “Andrew, you will accompany me and reporteverything you know.”
“Of course.”
She turned to the other guard, “Keep looking, and report back what you find, directly to me.”
Letting out an exaggerated breath, Alex started the long walk to the other end of the palace. This was not a conversation she ever thought she’d have to have.
Sophiana sat, too stunned to cry, too scared to do much of anything. Evanar ran a soothing hand up and down her back. His face, strangely void of emotion. Alex wasn’t sure how she’d expected them to react to the news that their daughter and son-in-law were missing, but she had tried to ease the blow as best she could.
Initially, Evanar had let his temper flare, berating Andrew for sleeping on duty. Sophiana had balked, not believing it to be true, only occasionally asking questions, but eventually, they had calmed. Well, as much as they could, given the situation.
They knew what came next, what needed to happen for the province to stay protected. Sophiana had ruled for many years before her daughter was crowned and had stayed close with her as she navigated the rules of politics in the royal world. Rivka had excelled at it, never needing much guidance. She was a strong leader and you could tell Sophiana had beenproud to relinquish her reign to her. The fact that she would have to deal with the drama and politics again was inconceivable.
Sophiana excused herself to the washroom and Alex slid her focus to Evanar. She didn’t exactly want to keep anything from Sophiana but this was a delicate piece of information and one that she felt she had to keep close. It might not mean anything. Or it could mean everything. Her eyes darted towards the washroom door before moving to rest on his face once more, her voice pitched low.
“I visited Queen Rivka’s bedchamber before coming to you to see if there was anything that might aid in the search.” Evanar's gaze held on hers, firm but revealing nothing. “There were a few sets of clothing missing.” She paused. “Not enough to be noticeable and to be fair, they could simply be with the wash, but something tells me that’s not the case.” She finished her sentence and waited to see how Evanar would respond. When he stayed silent, she asked, “Am I right to consider that this…disappearance may have been…planned?”
