Annalise wore a colorful wrap dress like Sasha's that hugged her curves. Her middle was a little thicker, and the bottom half of her dress belled out as if her shape was more pear these days than a true hourglass, but she was still a strikingly beautiful woman. She wore a choker like the one Sasha had on, the large medallion resting high atop her cleavage.
With eyes the exact copy of Kane’s, the queen regarded Sasha with so much warmth and affection that she almost burst into tears.
Seeing her shining eyes, Annalise hugged her again, tighter this time. The queen smelled like spring flowers and felt like the embodiment of love.
"Beautiful, amazing girl. Come sit down now. I am so happy to be here and to get to chat with my friends. I'm sorry, I know it's nosey, but they have been keeping me updated about you since your first appointment. I hope you understand. No privacy for breeders, I'm afraid. Everyone knows our deepest secrets.
"I should be more respectful—being nosey gets me into trouble. My husband threatens to chain me, my daughters stop speaking to me when I embarrass them. It's terrible, but it's my nature. You'll indulge me, won't you? I really would like to be friends."
The queen took Sasha's hand and pulled her to the couch, sitting close to touch. It felt like they’d known each other for ages. Struck speechless, Sasha could only nod as she gazed down at the hand holding hers.
The queen was wearing three rings with white jewels that sparkled like stars, antiques from a bygone age. The 12 Sectors now focused on practical products that everyone needed. The rings must have been salvaged from the treasures of long ago.
Distracted by the baubles, overwhelmed by the Queen, Sasha missed Sara's question.
Seated with Doctor Bruns across from them, drinking tea, Sara repeated, "Are you up for a full exam today, Sasha? Kane requested one."
"Kane?" It was his name that pulled her out of her daze. Sasha knew she was a pathetic mess where he was concerned. She couldn't fight it if she tried, blamed it all on biology and his powerful Kane-ness. Every unmated breeder on the planet would be brainless mush in his presence, she was sure of it.
Sara smiled, the doctor chuckled, and the queen gave Sasha's knee a pat. "Yes, Sasha. He said he noted a change in your smell. We can do the exam in your rooms, if you’d like. No need for you to go to the clinic."
Sasha looked at the queen, who returned her gaze with open affection. "I know you don't know me from the girl down the street, but girls like you are a special project of mine. And you are so, so special. We didn't plan this so I could be here at the same time, but I would very much like to be with you for your exam. I'll hold your hand and make sure they treat you like the sweet, clever girl you are."
"You have had doctor's appointments before, then?" Sasha said, unable to hide her smile.
"With many pregnancies come many doctors. Kane isn't the only male I know who chops off hands when doctors get too touchy. I couldn't believe it when Sara told me about that slimy man. He'd been working there for five years. His whole staff—" She stopped herself.
Sasha knew then that the doctor wasn't the only one who died that day.
"Well, we won't speak of it," The queen announced. "But do you mind if I attend your appointment?"
Sasha took a moment to decide, studying the people gathered around her. There was no deception in their smell. They smelled honest. Honest and excited.
As if the appointment started right then, all three of them took turns asking questions. They wanted to know everything about her. Nothing was sacred.
When they finally went back to her room for the exam, the small bed in Kane’s changing room had been moved to the main chamber. They all fussed and preened about the way Sasha had made up her bed. Suddenly she wished she had been able to keep that private.
When Dr. Bruns touched one of the pillows covered by Kane's shirt, Sasha felt a territorial rush that made her growl.
The queen put her arm around Sasha's shoulders, startling her more than her own growl had. "I understand completely, dear. We were just admiring your nest, but we won’t touch it anymore. That’s why we brought out the other table."
Sasha was glad Annalise understood her animalistic reaction, because she didn't. Not at all.
The exam went quickly. Sasha stood on the platform to get her body stats, then laid on the bed and let the doctor examine her privates.
Dr. Bruns was quick, gentle, and efficient. He put on some strange headgear that gave him a lighted bug face, used a cold metal device to part her folds and look about a bit, and then he was finished.
He didn't make her slick happen once. Sasha was so grateful she gave him a hug after.
The queen herself wrapped Sasha's dress around her, brushed out the tangles in her hair, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You are a remarkable girl," Dr. Bruns announced. "Your next cycle could come anytime now."
"Is that okay? I thought three to six months."
Dr. Bruns clucked. "You have been exposed to some extremely strong alpha pheromones. Your first cycle came on fast and hard for that very reason."
Sasha hissed, "It's all his fault. I knew it. I knew it!"
