Page 79 of The Nightmare Queen

He gave each of us a tonic to filter out any remaining traces of poison while we readied ourselves to head back to court. Eveera hands her cup back to Murph their small height difference giving her the advantage of actually looking down on him. “You said The Lady in Black. Explain, troll man.”

His face splits into a large grin as he gingerly takes back the cup. “I like it, the name. Very good, Queen of Serpents. I do believe I have troll on my mother’s side…” He begins rambling, Eveera gives me an annoyed side glance.

“Explain.” She repeats.

His eyes glint with mischief at us as he piddles around his home, “you know where healers hail from, do you not?” He turns in a circle, dramatically gesturing around the room. “The Lady in Black…very clever, very smart, and very unforgiving.” His gaze lands on me at the final remark prickling the hairs on the back of my neck.. “I’d ask our Golden Madame the remaining questions on your tongue. She knows better than I.”

He shoos us out, the door locking in place behind our backs. We both look at each other, with more questions than answers waiting on our breath.Golden Madame, doesn’t take a genius to know who he means.My mother.Which will bring nothing good.

We were about halfway back to court when I realized Eveera was still shirtless, some wounds on her were deeper than others and required wrapping, Murph’s healing was still good but he was old school and his Wield out of traditional practice. “Do you want my- uh, do you want my shirt?” I ask? Tugging at the hem of the dirtied fabric.

“Why? Are you embarrassed?”

I fumble around for the right words, “no I just—” my eyes shamelessly drop to the curve of her breasts. Her serpent tattoos strategically placed. “Murph only gave you pants?” I ask, looking at the high waters she’s currently donning.

“He did, said it was better to let the deeper wounds breathe with only the bandages on them currently. And you know what?” She stops in her tracks, pointing her finger into my chest. “I just almost died.Again. And while I like to court death I’m not sure I want to enter in a long term commitment yet. I’m sure your pride will survive my semi-nudity.”

It’s not my pride I am worried about surviving.I want to snap at her, but I don’t have the energy tonight. Instead,I grab her elbow, ushering her into one of the old tunnel passageways. At one point it was meant for getting people out of the castle if needed, but for today it will help us get back in.

Thankfully the castle was dark and devoid of two much activity, allowing us to slip back in unnoticed or at least unrecognized. That was until we walked back into my room.

We were immediately accosted by our men and Millie. There was a mixture of relief, confusion, and anger across all their faces at the sight of us. Bennett and Will’s eyes darting everywhere but towards us after noticing Eveera had nothing covering her upper half except for various bandages. She limps away from me towards the bedroom with Millie trailing after her.

“How many days?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“That’s all you have to say?” Armond snarls at the same time Bennett answers, “three days.”

I blow a long breath out.Three days.

No one said much while we waited on the women. With how long it was taking them I started to worry that something had happened, that Murph had messed something up until the door creaked open and she waltzed back in. She’s cleaned up and dressed in a floor length black gown that catches in the light revealing a deep green and purple iridescence. On top of the fabric is a gold metal corset fitted around her waist and bust, if you look closer at it, you’ll notice it’s carved in the shape of her trademark serpents.

Her face is fresh and all of her dark hair has been wound into intricate braids that cascade down the curve of her spine. She’s removed the bandages, bearing the deeper wounds.

Will sidles up next to me displeasure written all across his face. “You’re drooling.” There’s blatant disgust in his tone, but it doesn’t matter, I drink her in. Every agonizingly beautiful inch.

Even after torture, drugging, and no sleep - she is breathtaking. From the corner of my eye I can see Axel’s effort to restrain himself from going to her. I know, because I had been exerting that same effort at the manor. She slinks over to my side, the sway of her hips jingling the metal corset. Her gold eyes darken to the color of honey when they meet mine.I wonder if she listens in on my mind,if she can read every one of my emotions as well. If she can feel the same pull as I do, or if her hatred smothers it.“We were gone…” I start to say, but she interrupts.

“Three days.I heard.”

Will clears his throat, “we have things to talk about. Your disappearance has caused…issues. Not to mention what she said before you two ran off!” He’s raising his voice.

“What no welcome home?” I taunt. I would’ve figured he’d be more upset something had happened to me. Will rolls his eyes, bringing a hand up to his forehead.

“You can’t just usurp.” Bennett says quietly. “Ror— do you really want to do that?” I sigh, scrubbing my hand down the stubble that’s grown out over my jawline.

“Well, apparently, I don’t have a choice. I made a deal.”

“You made a deal you didn’tknowabout! If you let her do whatever,” Will flings his arms around wildly at her, “she has planned…then we arepasttreason at this point. I don’t even know where we’ve landed. You’re not just damning yourself Rorin - you’re damning me, Bennett, and now Millie.” He slumps down onto the couch his head between his knees. Millie goes to sit by him her face surprisingly neutral as she pats his shoulder.

My head hurts from the back and forth. “You should’ve fucking told me this was your plan.”I snap at her through the seal.

I wanted just a moment’s respite on our return, a chance to catch up on restful sleep.

“You were so desperate for help and whining about not being daddy’s favorite, I didn’t think you’d care.”The way she says it makes me feel like I was an idiot to not see this coming.

“This is why you wanted to come to Valen. Why you were so okay to leave the military? Do I get to know why you want them dead?”The pieces sort of fall together but regardless the pit in my stomach grows.

She shrugs, picking at her clean nails. “I’m tying up loose ends.”

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