Page 73 of Queen Isabella

“There is just one of them, Hasta, and he didn’t say. He just stated that he needed to speak to our queen,” Proel relayed.

Hearing there was just one of them made Bellator relax, though he was still suspicious. Before theConlatus, such a visitor wouldn’t have been an issue. Life was changing, though. His gaze turned to their queen to ask her thoughts, but Isa’s thoughts were as plain as the anxious expression on her face.

“Is it acceptable to you to let Hasta in?” Bellator asked her.

“Yes.” She nodded. “We need to hear what he has to say.”

Proel took off, heading back toward the entrance of the hive to fetch the male.

Isa turned to him. “What do you think he wants?” She nibbled her lip.

“Whatever it is, you are safe.” Phara rubbed her back.

No one ate as they waited for Proel to return with Hasta. The moment the yellow and red male entered the commons, Isa smiled and stood. It was one of the smiles she made when she was being polite, and not entirely genuine.

“Welcome, Hasta. Can I offer you a drink or a bite to eat?” Queen Isa kindly beckoned the Nemus male to come down the steps.

“Thank you, Queen of the Tumulus Hive.” Hasta bowed before descending the steps.

The way Hasta referred to Isa appropriately, honoring her true hive, made Bellator relax a bit.

Operar gave the male a drink as he reached the dais where their queen sat. Hasta took the cup and nodded his thanks.

“I don’t mean to rush you, but you didn’t find another Blight weapon, did you?” Isa wrung her hands.

Bellator’s eyes widened. That hadn’t even occurred to him. His worry had been for Isa. No other Blight weapons had been found in their territory, and they’d sent runners to spread the information about the missiles. In the span of a lunar, he’drelaxed and let the problem drift to the back of his mind. Except that didn’t mean it was no longer a problem. Instantly the nasty dilemma came barreling to the forefront as he looked expectantly at the messenger.

Hasta sputtered and choked on his water. “No! Thank Inana!” He wiped his mouth.

“Oh good,” Artifex declared.

“Thank God!” Isa sank back in the chaise.

The relieved sigh from all the Vorto echoed in the cavernous commons.

“Our new queen wishes to meet you,” Hasta quickly relayed, before they could conjure any other terrible news.

“You have a queen?!” Queen Isa eagerly sat forward on the chaise. She wasn’t the only one pleased by the news. “Who?”

“Queen Elizabeth.” Hasta grinned.

Bellator recognized the enamored expression on the male’s face. He’d possessed that same expression on many occasions. The Nemus Hive truly had found their queen.

“Congratulations!” he declared and was echoed by the hive.

Now he could relax, or at least stop worrying about the Nemus stealing his queen.

“Shy Elizabeth. I would love to see her! Tell her yes. Ooh, Artifex, Operar, can we send her some of the bonbons you made?” Isa excitedly asked, happily clapping her hands.

“Anything you wish, my queen.” Artifex nodded.

Bellator grinned. Isa worried about what happened to the other queens, her friends. It was good to hear one of them survived. Hopefully they’d hear about the others soon, too. He’d worried about relations with the Nemus hive, but the friendship between the queens would mend any lingering enmity between their hives. Happiness swelled inside Bellator along with the love he felt for his queen. Life really was changing.

Phara

The jovial mood returned to the dining commons with the Nemus messenger’s great news. Phara’s cheeks hurt, he was smiling so hard as he watched Isa arrange the meeting with Elizabeth. Isa was vibrating with excitement. It was wonderful seeing how happy she was.

“This makes me glad.” Phara rubbed Isa’s back after Hasta left.

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