The Queen's Conquer

Chapter 41 : The Darkness Welcomes All

Uhkaava • [ah-kah-vah]
Threatening, ominous.

🖤

~+~

I can barely swallow down my insanity with how dry my throat has become.

Three days, I had told myself. You can survive three days around your human friends. You can keep your identity concealed for that long so you and Max can get the information you need and get out.

Now, that hope is shriveling before my very eyes. Every last fucking bit of it.

Markus clears his throat, standing much longer than a normal person should before he finally takes his seat across from me.

"I know this must seem extremely awkward since you four just met," Jace begins.

Lies, I tell myself. Because one of the two men I've injured using my abilities is sitting at the same table as me right now. He's breathing the same air as I am.

Beside me, I can feel the tension radiating off of Max. Because he also realizes what this means. And I pray to Goddess that he's finally connected the dots as to why I'd looked so pale earlier.

"Actually," Markus cuts in as he plates his own serving of food while a server pours him a fresh glass of white wine. I've stopped consuming my dinner, my fork and hand now frozen in time. "We have met."

"Well, we know you and Max have," Bianca chuckles on my right. "But—"

"I know Anastasia, too," Markus says before the young queen can finish.

I'm going to faint any moment now. Serofina keeps any comments to herself, but she doesn't cover up the feline grin etched into her lips.

"Oh," Bianca says, a bit surprised. "You do?"

"Yes," the male rogue says too calmly, his auburn hair seeming much darker than usual under this dim lighting. I can't stop staring at him. I can't stop thinking of the thousands of ways he could have me killed in less than a few seconds.

What's your backstory, a male voice demands, intruding my thoughts.

Markus. Markus is still able to mindlink me. Because I'm now the luna of our pack. Meaning he hasn't broken his bond with Phantomridge yet. He hasn't—

Tell me or I can assure you I will spill every truth about your life to them, he orders.

I cough, acting as though a piece of food is stuck in my throat before I say, "Yes, in Henanthan. I met him after he helped me and Max out of Phantomridge."

Shuffling sounds arise behind me, Max, and Bianca. And all it takes is one quick glance over my shoulder to see eight other rogues accompanying the watchful Mylithian guards in the room. Just as the king and queen have their own security, Markus must've brought his warriors as a precaution. He must do it every time he visits—unless the warriors are already integrated into this kingdom. Already living amongst the civilians.

Each set of eyes is trained on me, hateful gazes searing through my skin. I look away just in time to catch Markus glaring at them, demanding them to stop.

The only thing that could keep my heart from beating any longer is if my father were to walk through the dining room doors right now. And I imagine the scenario for brief seconds. I can see how he'd shame me—how he'd have me dragged away to the depths of his territory. How he'd manipulate and use my powers to his advantage.

The horror finally stops replaying in my mind when Bianca says, "Well, in that case, I hope this small reunion can allow you all to catch up."

"I'm not staying for long, actually," Markus says as he wolfs down more of his food. "Maddox requested my presence tomorrow morning. Said he needs my help organizing more legions for the war."