Page 94 of In The Shadows

I nod, acknowledging my loss to their queen.

He laughs some more and shakes his head. “Wasn’t expecting that,” he says so quietly that I strain to hear him. “Hurt like a bitch, didn’t it?” he raises his voice to ask.

I run my fingers over the tender part of my jaw, knowing I’ll have a bruise by tomorrow. Nyx rubs his jaw similarly.

“It’s her signature move. She does it to everyone.”

“Everyone?” I ask, leaning in.

“It hurts and is unconventional, but it will help teach you to keep your left side guarded,” Nyx answers.

I don’t know whether to feel hurt or part of a club I have no desire to be a part of. What I do feel is relief that it wasn’t her beauty that caused me to let my guard down.

“What did you say to get her to hit you? You’re the last person I would expect her to do that to,” he asks.

The last person?

“You two talking about me?” The queen plops into the seat next to Nyx, stealing a piece of bacon off his plate. He stabs at her hand playfully as she pulls it away, snickering.

“You punched him?” Nyx confirms, pointing his fork at me again.

“Maybe ...” she says, flashing an unconvincing innocent smile.

He shakes his head and laughs.

“That’s one way to win him over, I guess,” he replies.

The queen winks in my direction. She slides a small tin can across the table to me.

“It’s a healing salve that will help with the bruising. Loma said it will make your jaw feel better.”

I nod and apply a thin layer, the tenderness decreasing instantly.

I dig into my food as Nyx and the queen begin to argue in hushed whispers. I focus on my plate not to give away that I’m trying to make out what they are saying. Their voices are too low. I can’t make anything out. The queen’s eyes drop to the table, and she takes a deep breath before she hones in on me.

“What’s with the plate? Don’t like the food?” Her words are harsh and agitated. She waits for my response as I plan my words carefully.

“From what I know, Umbra suffers from a low food supply because of limited trading. Since I’m an unexpected mouth to feed, I didn’t want to take more than necessary.” I answer, biting into a fluffy biscuit.

The queen’s forehead creases. “Do you think I can’t feed my people, Captain? First you call me weak, and now, you think I can’t care for my own?” Her words sting, and I instantly regret mine.

Nyx chokes on his coffee, coughing in his seat.

“No,” I reply honestly, “I just believe if you have limited resources, you could spend them better.”

She sits back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. “Care about my people that much already?” Her words are a taunt, but her eyes flare with hatred.

“I care about the well-being of all women and children in Omnia. You, of all people, should understand the evil and cruelty that plagues this realm,” I snap back.

Her eyes soften as she looks around at her people before leaning back on the table with crossed arms.

“Let me worry about my people. Your information is another lie. We have enough resources to feed all of Omnia if they show up at our door. Now eat your fill, or I’ll make you. We both know how easy it is for me to get you on your back.” Her eyes take on a menacing look.

A traitorous image of the queen riding my cock flashes in my mind, and I shift uncomfortably in my seat. I prop my elbows on the table and lean toward her. “I wasn’t expecting you last time. It won’t be as easy if you try again.”

She gives me a coy smile as she stares me down. “We’ll see about that.”

Our eyes lock as if drawn by a force beyond our control. I’m mesmerized, and I feel heat rising from my groin to my cheeks. She looks at me like she’s about to pounce.And I might let her.

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