Page 65 of Queen Isabella

Saltare?The word didn’t translate through the unusual telepathic link. Isa kept her mouth shut rather than asking. She’d see what it was soon enough.

Last night her hive had scrambled to learn the details of this competition. The knowledge, like many other aspects of their culture, had been lost over the generations. She was an outsider,so she was no help. In fact, her people had done more than enough. It was best to just observe and stay silent. The last thing she wanted was to cause more problems or, god forbid, ruin her hives’ concentration.

Phara caressed her shoulder before stepping out of the canopy. He nodded to Artifex, who took the position by her side, while Bellator continued standing protectively behind her chair. Phara entered a ring of packed earth about the size of a baseball field. He was joined by the other consorts from their hive.

Her goofy, sweet Galis waved and grinned as he took up position in the second row behind Phara. He was looking so much better today. Even his patchy skin was almost back to the same color purple. Better yet, the near-death experience didn’t seem to affect his demeanor. Isa grinned and was about to wave back at him when Gregis scowled and shook his head at Galis. The pair sobered, so she followed suit. Apparently, this wasn’t the place for such antics.

Her hive was on the left, while the Nemus stood on the right. Both consort alphas were up front with the other consorts standing in order of rank behind them. At least that’s what she gathered from the markings on their chests.

“Oof!” one of the Nemus boomed, while beating his fist against his chest.

She jumped in her seat at the unexpected shout.

The rest of the Nemus hive and even her guys joined in, creating a beat with a series of slaps, claps, and shouts, rather than instruments. The tune was obviously familiar to both hives. Phara slapped his thighs and shouted as he stepped wide, beginning a fast-paced dance. Isa blushed at the way his tight ass shook as his pelvis thrust. There was no missing how his cock jumped with each move. Her blush deepened when she noticed Phara staring intently at her. There was something familiar and erotic about his moves and the sultry expression on his face.His dance wasn’t coordinated with the rest of her hive, but they were all doing similar moves. Her triplets, Rego, Gregis and Galis, were far better than the consorts behind them, though Phara had them all beat. There was a seductive confidence about the way he moved, shaking enticingly, his hands reaching out for her, beckoning her. Her nipples hardened and she leaned forward in her seat, utterly taken in.

“Oh,” Isa let out a little gasp when she realized what the primal dance reminded her of.

These were the motions Phara used when he made love to her. Although, at this frantic speed it was less love and more like raw fucking. Heat suffused her as it looked like Phara was clutching her ass while rapidly fucking her. She’d been in that exact position before, when Phara’s sweet nature gave way to his animalistic side. In her studies she’d read about mating dances. The notion had been shocking. It was one of the many reasons she loved studying other cultures. But reading about such taboo dances didn’t compare to seeing them in person.

Isa’s gaze drifted over to the Nemus hive and it was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on her.

“Oh.” Her cheeks reddened for a very different reason.

Whatever Andren and his hive were doing was reminiscent of a chicken with its head cut off. He was trying too hard, his arms flailing in an attempt to get her attention. She didn’t dare glance below their waists at whatever uncoordinated disaster was going on down there. Isa smiled, though it was more of a grimace, feeling embarrassed for them.

Her eyes widened in surprise when the a cappella beat abruptly changed and all the Vorto collapsed into puddles of plasm. Her gaze swiveled back to Phara. This was a disconcerting and fascinating magic trick that she’d never get completely used to. From the purple puddle emerged a furry head topped with a pair of pointed ears. As the purple eyesemerged, they focused on her and the shaggy brows wagged. Isa grinned. Phara was shifting into his bear-cat form.

It was impressive seeing her hive all emerging in unison as the majestic beasts. The Nemus hive emerged as gorillas. It was the same form they’d taken to ambush her hive yesterday, which was not a pleasant memory. She didn’t want to be rude by openly cringing and simply nodded politely.

Isa looked back at her hive. Phara was still in hisferoform, but his hair was growing long and spiky. Each pointy tendril unfurled, forming feathers, while his snout curled over into a beak. He was shifting seamlessly into one of the large mountain hawks that inhabited their territory. She couldn’t imagine the skill and self-control it took to slowly change like this. The Nemus were also shifting into what looked like bald eagles.

“Wow!” she whispered, truly impressed.

“Would you like something to eat, my queen?” Lehzen, the Nemus Hive servitor alpha asked from beside her chair.

She glanced toward him and nearly got a face full of his private bits. What was worse, he was getting an erection. The momentary awe at the amazing transforming Vorto instantly fled. Mortification filled her and Isa recoiled, again reminded that she was surrounded by naked strangers. On top of that came the reminder that if things didn’t go right today, she’d have to go with these naked strangers.

Artifex

Artifex’s eyes narrowed on Lehzen. The male was responsible for this ornately decorated shelter and the broad selection of food. He shouldn’t be agitated with the male for attempting to see to Queen Isa’s needs, but he was.

That is my job!

“My queen, that is fermentedharicot. Given your reaction toraphanus, I am not sure you’ll like it,” Artifex informed her.

“Oh, the fish balls.” Isa grimaced and shook her head.

Artifex cast a smug look at Lehzen before focusing on Isa again. “Here is some water, and we brought somejofiif you’d like.” Artifex extended a cup, while Operar showed their queen the pouch of berries.

“Oh. Thank you. Just some water I think.” Isa smiled at him.

He happily gave her a sip before pulling the cup away.

“You are welcome to share the food we brought,” Lehzen kindly offered him.

“Deeply appreciated,” Artifex replied. The sentiment was genuine and he followed his counterpart to the table set with a feast. “We brought things that Isa enjoys, so I’d prefer to leave those for her to eat.” He perused the selection.

“Hmm. So, she likesjofiberries,” Lehzen commented thoughtfully.

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