Page 23 of The Nightmare Queen

“Though, apparently, she won’t be sharingallher resources with us.” I mutter, my brain circling back to her dragon.

Our two guards, Maxwell and Orem, are waiting outside to bring us to meet the ranks. They move in complete sync with one another. I’d guess they were fraternal twins if I hadn’t overheard them through thedoor the other night - something about Maxwell being tired of being the more responsible one just because he was older.

The balcony they bring us to looks out over the courtyards and a handful of buildings I presume must be the barracks. Beneath us, thousands of men and women are all standing in formation, waiting for their next command.

“Good, you’re on time” Her voice sends chills rippling over my skin. She seems to have appeared from thin air. “Max, Orem you may go. Thank you.” They dip their chins at her, Ezra stands close at her side, greeting both the brothers as they leave. “We’ll split the military into thirds. Each third will include those from The Vast, and a handful of common mages.” Her explanation abrupt.Okay…I guess we’re just jumping into things.

Will raises his hand, “You said you have 100 companies of men and women but this is only nine. Where are the other 91 companies?”

She smiles but there is no warmth in it, “I’ll humor you, Mousy. In front of you stand nine separate companies. We don’t have the space to house or train them all at the same time. We house only certain companies at a time and of course those who serve in our personal guard. The Serpentes’ live on their territory, the Oriks on theirs, and the Shifters - well you get the idea.” She moves to descend the stairs towards them, continuing to explain on her way down. “We train in a rotation. Their training rotations run on alternating days of the week every day of the year.” She spins on the step to look up at Will, “does that answer your question, Mouse?”

He grunts in agreement which I guess was satisfactory enough. She walks up next to an older gentleman with bronzed skin and graying hair. Tipping her head to the crowd of soldiers she asks, “how are they looking?”

“They’re honed and ready for battle. But then again, they’re always honed and ready for battle.” Eveera’s lips purse while motioning for Ezra. Both him and the old general hoist her body into the air.

“SOLDIERS!” All eyes on her. “THE DAYS YOU’VE SPENT TRAINING AND BEING TESTED IN THE OUTER LANDS WILL NOW BE TESTED ELSEWHERE. WE HEAD TO VELLAR AT DAYBREAK.” No one moves, breathes, or blinks for several seconds it seems. “Oh good, no mutinies yet. Thank the gods.” Her eyes roll on that last part while Ezra and the gentleman put her down. As soon as her feet hit stone, keeping her hand on the older man's shoulder, she turns and stares at us.

“Prince Rorin, Sir Mousy, this is General Matthis. He heads up our human companies. He’ll be one of our eyes and ears during thisrescue mission.”

The man’s face is stony much like his political counter-part, Felix. Will extends his hand, to be polite, but Matthis makes no move to shake it.

Eveera’s eyes light up at her General’s subtle rejection. “Don’t pay too much mind to him. He’s not used to working alongside…your sort.”

There is that“your sort”comment again. What the fuck does“your sort”mean?I wonder.

“Well—” she claps her hands together, “that’s all I needed you for.” Her words all the dismissal anyone seems to need. She pushes past us, marching her ass back up the stone steps. I give Will a look, one that he works out quickly but my feet are moving before he can stop me.

“Rorin what are you—” His words die down over my shoulder. I pick up my pace, taking two steps at a time to catch up to her.

“Is there a reason you’re following me?” She shouts, turning down a narrow hallway. Finally catching up, I stop her by putting a hand to her shoulder. She looks down at my hand, then back to me. “Is there also areason you are touching me?” The words coming out strained through her clenched teeth.

I smirk, “what? Don’t like being touched by ‘my sort’?” I ask, emphasis on the last two words.

Her fingers shove my hand off, dusting off where I touched her. “I don’t. Actually. Makes my skin crawl.” I glare at her and shove my hands into the pockets of my pants. Looking up and around I notice that we are standing in front of two stained glass doors.

“What’s behind those?” I ask.

“Marjorie.” She says it as if that should be answer enough.

“Do I get to meet this Marjorie too?”

She smirks, placing one of her tanned hands on the gaudy gold knob. “Hope not. She doesn’t take to well to your—” I raise my hand cutting her off.

“Let me guess, ‘my sort’.” I say, throwing air quotes around what I’ve now figured is a slur. “Is this arrangement going to work with your inexplicable disdain for me?”

Her laugh is low and breathy, her eyes somehow growing brighter despite the poor lighting in this hall. “I’m getting what I want either way. Nowhere did it say I had to like you.” My brows scrunch at her words, confusion etching its way in.

“Are you talking about payment? We never did discuss…” My words are silenced by the sound of the door clicking closed, and I’m left by myself, staring at colorful glass. “payment.” I finished. “Wewerehaving a conversation.” I huff out, turning on my heel and marching back towardsmy room.

Will’s thrown himself on the chaise with a drink in his hand, it’s an odd position for me to find him in, furthermore it’s odd he doesn’t acknowledge me when I walk in. I reach for my own drink and watch as he takes a long swig from his glass. He coughs and sputters, liquid dribbling from his lips. “Ohshit, what the hell do they drink here?”

I shrug, following suit and taking my own swig. The drink burns down my throat and I wince. “My guess? Blood of her enemies." Will rolls his eyes at my suggestion. "She wants to leave at daybreak, but we still haven’t formulated a plan for what happens when we do leave.” I take another swig of the acrid liquor.

He glances my way, “is that why you chased after her? To formulate a plan? Hey, did you catch that “your sort”comment? Both Eveera and her guard Armond said it.”

“Yeah, more than once.” I mutter.

“What was that?”

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