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Pyke’s joyous expression falters as his blue eyes land on me. “Yes. I heard the Captain of Lux stumbled into our kingdom. What’s he doing out of his cage?” His tone turns harsh, and the queen flinches as if his words hit her.
“I know your dislike for Lux better than anyone, Pyke, but you won’t take it out on him,” the queen says, stepping in front of me, blocking his path as if he would charge.
“Well, if he’s as cruel as the man he looks like, we’d all be safer if you fed him to the nobu,” Pyke hisses, peering around the queen, his eyes narrowing on me.
I fight back a shiver crawling up my spine at the thought of being eaten by one of those creatures.
“Pyke,” the queen’s voice booms through the hall, and everyone falls silent, all eyes on the unfolding scene. Pyke’s face pales as he reluctantly drags his gaze back to his queen.
“The captain is my guest, which means you will treat him with exceptional hospitality and respect. That goes for everyone here,” she looks over her people. They all nod and return to their food, the hum of conversation replacing the silence.
Without another word, Pyke bows and scurries back to the kitchen.
“Grab a plate, Captain,” the queen says, pointing down at the stack.
I grab one with silverware and trail behind her as she tells me what each dish is.
After barely eating for the past week, all I want to do is pile my plate high and fill my depleted reserves. My body has been warring with me, and I know I need to replenish my energy.
But what if this is a trick and whatever I take will cause sickness or death?
“What is it now?” the queen hisses, turning around to face me.
I scan over the food on the table, trying to make sense of what’s happening.
“Speak, Captain. Before I make you,” her tone is so forceful that I take on a defensive stance in response.
“A word of advice: don’t let her make you. While it would be enjoyable for us, it would be extremely unpleasant for you,” Hiram warns.
The queen gives him a wink, and even though I relax, I’m annoyed by this banter they’re clearly using to get me to do what they want.
“How do I know this isn’t a trick?” I ask, gesturing at the table with my head.
“Trust,” she answers, glaring at me.
I feel Nyx step closer to my back as a silent warning to tread carefully.
“As I said, I don’t trust you,” I say, staring down at her, ready to fight if it comes to that.
A string of angry mumbled words come from the queen before she snatches the fork out of my hand. She stabs it through some roasted potatoes and vegetables, then shoves it all in her mouth. She stares at me as she chews with her mouth open.
Not very queen-like, is she?
She swallows the mouthful of food and forces the fork back into my hand.
“There. Satisfied? Eat the damn food before I force it down your throat,” she orders as she picks up a ladle of food, slamming it onto my plate, which nearly drops from my hands from the force. She steps forward, grabbing a chicken breast and tossing it on top.
She turns and heads to a table at the center of the hall. A set of hands crashes into my back, and I’m shoved forward. I stumble, trying to remain upright. I look back to see Nyx shaking his head at me while Hiram smiles.
I trail after the queen and take the seat across from her. She rubs her temples, and I wonder if she’s in pain from her injuries.
No, she seemed fine before. She’s playing with my emotions.
Nyx joins us in the seat beside the queen. He runs his hand up and down her back. I stare, assessing the relationship between these two.
Has the king seen them show so much affection? Maybe I can use this.
I pick at my food while observing the dining hall. The number of people here surpasses anything I would expect to see in Umbra. Our intel states they are a small group of outlaws who do the bidding of King Asher. But this looks like a normal evening in Lux, with families gathered together for an evening meal.
