Page 26 of Queen Isabella

“Some do, yes,” he answered honestly. As much as he wanted to say every one of the queens would be fine, he wouldn’t lie to his queen.

Her hive sent her here to die.Artifex ground his teeth as he clenched his jaw. He couldn’t fathom what kind of people would send their queens to die among the stars or on a harsh new world.

Seeing the fear swimming in Isa’s unusual brown eyes, Artifex suppressed the need to growl. His queen didn’t need his anger, she needed reassurance.

Artifex wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her close. “Our messengers have gone out. We will find out about the other queens from your hive. We won’t let them suffer,” he promised, while combing his fingers through her lovely mane. Hopefully it was a promise he could keep.

“Thank you,” she sighed. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. I didn’t have time to meet all the women, but…” The queen’s words slowed when she noticed the Vorto working in the dining commons.

Her expression grew uncomfortable as the servitor omegas started to approach them. She hunched her shoulders, practically curling in on herself while huddling close to him.His brow furrowed, unsure of what was bothering her. Was she afraid of them? They were the first new people she’d encountered since leaving her chambers. The omegas weren’t a danger to their queen, but she may not know that given how she’d been treated. Protectively he hugged her close, wrapping both arms around her.

“They are all right,” he assured her. “Please continue with your tasks. You will meet our new queen later,” Artifex urged the workers to return to cleaning and preparing for the feast. “This is our dining and meeting area,” he said, though Isa couldn’t really see since she was still using him as a barrier between her and the workers in the dining commons.

He smiled sympathetically as he gently picked her up, cradling her in his arms as he continued on. Hopefully after she got to meet everyone at the feast, she’d be less afraid.

“Thank you,” Isa whispered. “I just…well…” She frowned as she glanced down at herself.

His brow furrowed at the uncomfortable expression that twisted her face.

Artifex stopped again and focused on her. “Please explain.”

“I’m not used to walking around naked.” She awkwardly bared her teeth in a grimace.

The pale blue outfit he had to cut off of her surged to mind.

“You had coverings on!” Artifex wanted to kick himself. He felt so foolish. “I am so sorry. Are you cold?” She didn’t feel cool, but he hugged her closer to his chest anyway as he continued walking.

Flux! How could I be so remiss?!

“Well, no, I’m not cold.” Isa shook her head. “But, well, walking around naked in front of everyone wasn’t done in my old hive, so I’m not used to it.”

Artifex frowned. “This is natural. The Vorto do not emerge from their amnio sacs with coverings, do yours?” The question was slightly flippant and teasing.

“We don’t either.” She made her adorable twittering laugh as she adamantly shook her head.

“Vorto don’t usually wear coverings unless going outside in certain weather. Unfortunately, we damaged your coverings when we treated your injuries. I will have them repaired. Would you like something else in the meantime?”

“Deep down, I think you’re right. We aren’t born with clothes, so being naked is natural. I really don’t like that I was taught to be ashamed of my body, and yet it still makes me uncomfortable,” she admitted as they neared the food preparatory.

The more he learned about Isabella’s old hive, the more he despised it. It broke his heart that she was made to feel shame.

“You are a stunning queen. Your scent drives me wild. Your curves make my hands grabby with the urge to squeeze you,” his arms tightened around her, “and I am deeply enjoying our conversation. All parts of you are exceptional. It would be a shame to cover your beauty, but I will arrange for anything you desire.” He gazed into her eyes, desperate to convey how precious she truly was.

Queen Isa’s soft brown eyes widened and her cheeks got red again. “Um, thank you.” She quickly looked away, attempting to hide her face.

Artifex groaned when her heady feminine perfume spiked. She was embarrassed but also aroused. He really wanted to sample the queen’s flesh again, and if she’d permit, he’d bury himself in her luscious body. He wasn’t a consort, yet his hunger for their queen was wildly intense.

“Let’s sample some food,” he swiftly urged, before he acted on his instinct in the middle of the corridor.

Isabella

Artifex’s bold appraisal made Isa blush. He sounded and looked sincere, but she wasn’t used to taking compliments. The exotic man was very nice to look at, too. She couldn’t help but rub his muscular chest as he confidently carried her. Back home, the men she knew would be quaking, their arms ready to give out, not that she was ever carried, though. But Artifex made her feel downright petite. Then there was the fact that he was intelligent. Hunky nerds were her weakness. She’d wanted to pet him as he explained the technology of their hive. All of that combined was enough to make her swoon, so both of them being naked only added to the sexual tension she felt.

Yet again another emotion intruded. It wasn’t shame over being naked, though that still lingered. This black cloud felt a bit like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Right now, she was novel and new to the Vorto, but that wouldn’t always be the case. How would they treat her after the newness wore off? And what if they discovered she wasn’t compatible with them?

Isa shook her head, distracting herself by changing the conversation as she forcibly studied her surroundings. The hive reminded her of Carlsbad Cavern with its absurdly large spaces and winding passages all hidden beneath ground. There was something daunting about being surrounded by so much rock. Thank goodness it was lovely to look at.

“This stone is gorgeous. Your building technique reminds me of gothic architecture back home.” She pointed at the upcoming ornate arched doorway. The Vorto had carved meandering ivy detail into the purple marble. Isa ran her finger over the design. “But you also leave the natural beauty.” She admired a nearbydripstone column that was a feature created by the cave and time.

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