We needed to speak. After two days of travel, I’d crafted the perfect speech.
Dommik. What we may have felt for each other in the past is just that. In the past. And Rhazien is my future.There. That’s it. Nothing else needed to be said.
I refocused my attention to the small group of strangers waiting to welcome us in the broad, yawning cavern mouth. Torches lined the entry, their light barely extending halfway up the vast rocky walls. Shadows danced and disappeared to the dark ceiling.
How far had we descended?
Unease churned in my gut. Rhazien squeezed my elbow and his mossy eyes seemed to say,I’m here. You’re safe. My body relaxed slightly at the gesture.
“Welcome, old friend.”
We hadn’t officially met, but I would’ve recognized Eryx Morvain, Regent of the Northern Hive, anywhere. Even from his portrait in theNobles and Notablestext, I could tell he would be tall and his icy blue eyes were even more striking in person.
“Majesty, it’s been too long.” Goosebumps raised my skin as Rhazien moved away from me to embrace the stranger.
“Yes.” Hungry, malicious eyes peered at me over Rhazien’s shoulder. The attention I’d been dreading the entirety of the carriage ride landed on me and my blood ran cold. Eryx’s gaze bore into mine before raking down my form. “It has.”
His focus flicked to Dommik at my side.
“So, the rumors are true.” Eryx’s voice was like the crashing waves ofthe Northern Sea. His low tone commanded all others to cease conversation to hear him. “You’ve taken a prospect.”
“Indeed. Majesty, may I present, Lady Reyva Bergmont, my prospect.” Despite Eryx’s looming, dark aura, Rhazien beamed as he gestured to me.
I extended a gloved hand to the Northern regent. Eryx squeezed it tightly before placing a kiss on top of the leather barrier. He made no attempt to hide his fangs as his full lips spread into a smile that put me on edge. “It’s a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is entirely mine.” My practiced script flowed from me effortlessly. All my confidence was born from Rhazien’s hand placed on my back.
“Mmm.” He stood to his full height, eyes flicking to the tense commander. “Dommik Thorne. After sixty years away, you’ve returned at last.”
“Your Majesty,” Dommik clipped.
Eryx drew in a sharp breath. “This is just…” the already stagnant air thickened with his dramatic pause, “too familiar.”
Rhazien took my hand in his silence, drawing Eryx’s eye. “And yet, brand new. The beginning of a special era.”
Eryx clicked his tongue once before a practiced, disingenuous smile snapped into place beneath his pointed nose. “Come. We have much planned to commemorate your visit.” He motioned to everyone, turning away from me and leading us deeper into his hive.
Rhazien was immediately whisked away to begin his meetings with Eryx and his counselors. I expected his duties might call him away, but I hadn’t expected them to happen so soon after our arrival.
I kneaded my hands as I was escorted to chambers separate from Rhazien’s. He’d slept next to me in my rooms since my welcome ball…since the shade…and I’d grown to rely on his presence. He would come to me. He would keep his promise.
“Have you visited any of the other Hives before?” I asked Alba as I toured my simple chambers, not quite sure what else to do with myself.
“No, my lady. This is quite the unexpected adventure,” she chimed as she unpacked and organized my garments.
“Something makes me feel more settled knowing we’re on our first trip together,” I admitted.
“I’m happy to be a source of comfort, my lady,” she said, hanging the last of my garments. “And speaking of which, will you require more tonic for your pains?”
“They seemed to have subsided, Alba. Thank you.” I fidgeted, trying to focus my mind on anything else except for how deep below the surface we were. “Should I have told them? Is this—is this going to be a problem?”
She paused and folded her hands. “Are you bleeding now?”
“No,” I answered quickly.
She let out a small breath. "That's good. But…”
“But what?”
