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“It will come out like rain, and you can bathe under it,” she continues, and I stare up in amazement.
I’ve never imagined such things were possible.
My knowledge-seeking mind floods at this new discovery, and I can’t help but smile.
I feel the queen’s eyes burrowing into me.
She’s studying me.
But when I meet her gaze, I see the same softness I glimpsed earlier.
“How?” I ask, my thirst for knowledge seeking more.
“We have a lot of water here. We’ve used it to our advantage,” she says with a shrug.
I can feel the goofy, impressed smile on my face. The queen returns it with one of her own. I feel disarmed and vulnerable.
I can’t believe I’m letting her get to me.
“King Asher is smart to keep you hidden. He’s able to brutalize the realm while you rule in the shadows with kindness. It keeps his weaknesses veiled just like his kingdom,” I return to my distrustful tone, stepping out of the bathing chamber.
“Darkness doesn’t always mean brutality, and kindness doesn’t always mean weakness, Captain. Your prejudices won’t do you any favors here,” she says, walking past me and pausing at the door. “Some things must remain in the shadows until it’s safe to bring them into the light. You’ve only seen what we want you to see. Thalos’ veil isn’t the only thing blocking your knowledge of the truth. The sooner you realize that, the less painful this experience will be for you.”
She stares at me for a long moment before leaving me with Hiram and another guard. Maybe there’s some truth to what the queen is saying. Or maybe she is trying to mess with my head. I’m betting on the latter.
Chapter 22
Theo
Istand from my bed and finish lacing the fitted black trousers that were left for me. After my first-ever shower, a shave, new clothes, and cleaning my boots, I look and feel like myself again. All the mental conflict I’ve been battling with seems to have washed away with the cascading water.
“The queen will be here shortly for you, Captain,” Hiram calls from my cell door. I give him a nod and try to work through how I’m going to use this time with her to my advantage.
The conversation I had with the queen in the bathing chamber has repeated in my mind all night. If there are truths she wants me to learn about Umbra, then I will. All to provide Lux with more information.
Anything for my kingdom.
“All ready to go?” the queen’s sweet voice asks from the hallway, stirring something deep within me. What? I’m not sure, and I’m not willing to acknowledge it.
The queen stands in the doorway of my cell wearing black trousers and a tight black shirt. Every inch of the fabric clings to her toned body, accentuating the curve of her waist and shapely ass.
Gods, I shouldn’t be eyeing her like this.
She has a unique dagger strapped to her right thigh, and I stare at it for a moment.
