Tribal Queen Book 1

Chapter 20

Reyna's eyes went wide, "Slowly tell me again what happened... leave out no details."

Zu stepped forward, "Your grace, what he told you was true. I have the girl in our custody."

Reyna slammed a fist down on the arm of her chair, shattering it. "I want her punished.... Severely!"

Hunter winced at her anger, "I am so sorry my moon and stars. I thought she was you!"

Reyna stood and slowly walked to him, "I believe you... but right now I cannot look at you. I still love you.... But just go. Zu will take you to chambers used for noble guests."

Hunter bowed his head, he was glad she believed him but nervous that she was not willing to be near him. Zu must have sensed this and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Her anger towards you will not last. Look how she forgave Willow for her mistake. Reyna is a loving Queen."

Hunter shook his head in understanding, "I will go rest now and wait."

Reyna was pacing the floor in the throne room. She was waiting for Meztli to be brought to her. She would question her motives and get to the bottom of this once and for all. When Zu pushed the girl into the throne room Reyna recognized her the second their eyes met. She had been the servant who brought the letter about the unrest in the tribes about Hunter being king.

"Do you know what you have done girl?" Reyna spoke in a low, hushed tone. The rage in her was building once again.

Meztli brought her chin up, exposing her neck to Reyna. This was a primal act, like what an animal would do to its Alpha. It was to offer her neck, without fear, being submissive to her Alpha. But the submissive act ended with the look in her eye, it was the look of hatred.

"You have unrest in our tribes. Tau knew how to unite us."

"Tau held you all in FEAR! He would kill anyone who dared get in his way. He took young girls as slaves.... Hung them up on wooden crosses to first break their spirit. Before he would force them into his bed and break them physically. Is that what you want? Do you want me to break you? Because my foolish girl, I would rip you in half with my bare hands!"

The servant girl's gaze faltered ever so slightly, then she looked down at the floor in front of her feet. "I only wanted to serve my master. You better kill me, because if I go back to him unsuccessful... his torture will be worse than anything you can do to me."

Reyna closed the gap between them in an instant, she slapped the girl so hard she fell to her knees. She lifted the girl's chin to look up into her almost white eyes. A slight white glow started to emit around her. It sent a chill down Meztli's spine.

"I will do much worse to you than Lau will ever do to your pathetic body."

The girl's eyes went wide, "How did you know it was Lau?"

"I wasn't one hundred percent sure, but you just confirmed it."

The girl hung her head in shame, "I only wanted to do what is best for the realm. You should marry Lau and rule as a united front."

Reyna drew strength from the white light of the gods into her. A flash filled the room with a blinding light, causing the girl to shield her eyes from it.

Reyn then stepped over her, "Put her back in her little cadge. I am not done with this little canary just yet."

Meztli started to sob. She had failed in her mission, and if Lau ever found her... she feared for what he might do.

Reyna looked at the armed men over from head to toe. Zu had gathered their most skilled swordsmen and had them pledge to serve the Queen. Reyna nodded in approval and then straightened her back.