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“Talk with him, love.” Cricket bustles in and clicks her tongue at the full plates left by the others. “It seems to calm him down.”
She collects the dishes and leaves us again. I squirm at the awkward silence, so say, “Bee bread sounds delicious.”
And ridiculous. I’m imagining black-and-yellow striped furry baked goods. But his eyes light up at my response, and my heart melts a little. Re-enthused, he returns to arranging cutlery into hexagon shapes. He made a mess of it earlier. As I chew my next mouthful, I slide a butter knife from my side to his.
“Drone bees have a very large appetite.” He positions the knife. “They eat about three times more food than worker bees.”
“That’s impressive.” I slide a fork to him.
A smirk touches his lips as he takes it. He leans across the table to mischievously whisper, “This gives them plenty of energy to fly in search of virgin queens during mating flights.”
I burst out laughing and cover my mouth.
He grins, eyes sparkling with mirth. There is no hate, no disgust, no ulterior motives in there. Just pure, genuine gratitude for the conversation. Maybe even affection. That tugging feeling in my chest begins again. When my hand flutters to my sternum, attempting to rub it away, he sits back and pensively stares at his cutlery.
“Drones are kicked out of the hive when food is scarce because they do not participate in building combs.” His eyes dart to and fro, once again filling with anxiety. “How can they be expected to repair the hive if they don’t know how to build the combs?”
Intuition prickles my skin. His gaze keeps flicking to me as if he’s waiting for understanding to dawn on my face.
“Are you trying to tell me something, Varen?”
The moment passes, and he returns to his task, enthralled with making a pattern and mumbling more bee facts to himself. Disconcerted, I finish my meal in silence, and Cricket returns for my plate.
“Best be off, love. The snow has stopped.”
The only way to the Nexus is over the moat, and I’m not in the mood for bravery. “I might just stay here and talk bees with Varen.”
He looks at me, eyes hopeful. “A court of worker bees constantly attends to a queen. They feed and groom her.”
“See?” I tell Cricket. “Varen wants me to stay. I’ll even let him groom me if that’s what he really wants.”
“Nonsense.” She taps me on the head. “The masters said you’re late. You have classes, and I’m sure you have friends waiting for you.”
Alfie. Geraldine, Max, Bob, and Peggy.
“Okay,” I grumble. Maybe the moat is already frozen. No chance of drowning, then.
Appeased, Cricket leaves with the dishes. Varen has gone quiet and watches me stand with a pinched brow.
“Are you okay?” I ask, collecting my cape. “I was only kidding about the grooming. Obviously, you don’t have to touch my face.”
His frown turns into a scowl. Irritably, he walks me to the door and insists he tie the cape around my shoulders. I take in his uniquely calming scent—something sweet with jasmine. As he focuses on tying the laces, I take the opportunity to study him more closely. His angular eyes are a deep, warm brown. His cupid’s bow lips are full yet still delicate on his face. It’s strange how I don’t feel on edge around him. My defense walls are down,and I can’t say I hate it. In another world, another time, we could be friends.
After tying my laces, he won’t let go.
“I have to leave,” I whisper.
He gives a melancholic nod and steps back. I turn, but he takes my shoulder and warns, “The drone’s sole purpose is to mate with a virgin queen bee, but very few succeed.” His grip tightens until I wince. “Those that don’t mate die quickly once cooler weather sets in.”
What is he on about?
“You’re weirding me out, Varen.”
His eyes grow dull, and he returns to the table.
I’m not sure what disturbs me more, his words or the dismay that I couldn’t help him. To avoid thinking about it, I read the exhibition pamphlet on the brisk walk to the Nexus. It’s not like the Sluagh offered any advice on how to win. They’ve neglected to talk about it at all. For now, I’m all about the pamphlet.
The distraction tactic works so well that I manage to cross the rickety bridge without panicking. I barely even notice the sound of gushing water and cracking ice. Don’t even think about getting stuck beneath it or freezing to death.
