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“Not even in the slightest,” I lie as I slide my hand into hers. Tingles erupt along my skin at the contact. She smiles as if seeing right through me.
She leads me to the center of the bridge and drops onto the stone bench carved into it, pulling me down with her. We sit in silence for several moments. The grunts from the nobu cut through me like daggers.I need a distraction.
“Have you grown tired of my presence already or simply ignoring me, Queen?” I ask, trying to shake off my panic attack and lighten the mood. Her green eyes trail over me, assessing.
“Maybe a little of both,” she says with an amused smile. She leans forward, as if needing a closer look at me. “How did you put it? Ah, yes. I was handling my queenly duties,” she says, taunting me with my words from our sparring session.
I pat my leg a few times to stop from smiling. “I deserve that. Well played.”
She snickers in my face and sits back.
“Have any of those duties been talking to your husband about King Leopold?” I ask, emphasizing the wordhusbandas a reminder to myself more than anything.
She’s the wife of my enemy.
Her expression turns serious, and she shakes her head. “Nothing yet. It seems negotiations are more difficult than expected,” she says, staring off into the distance.
“I’m sure King Asher is an excellent negotiator, all intimidating with his shadows.” I wave a hand in the air, which earns me an odd look from the queen. “But maybe you should speak on Umbra’s behalf? My king might respond better to your kindness versus your husband’s bruteness.”
She flinches at my suggestion.Seems I’ve struck a nerve.
Her eyes fixate on the stone wall. She doesn’t blink for long seconds before speaking again, “Rest assured, Captain. I’m doing everything within my powers to ensure a positive outcome for all of us,” she says, her voice lacking the warmth I’ve grown accustomed to.
I nod. When she speaks, I believe her. I realize that I’ve lost my wariness of her and can talk to her as a friend.She’s won me over. And then some.
“Can I ask you something?” I decide to test my newly formed affection.
She tilts her head side to side like she is debating allowing me to ask, before looking at me playfully.
“Only if it’s extremely inappropriate,” she answers with a wink.
Seems her affections for me have grown as well.
“Why do you only call me captain? It’s like everyone here refuses to say my name.”
Her face falls, and I chastise myself for making her mood shift. I’m desperate for the lightness to return to her gorgeous features.
“You never gave me or any of us your name. Only stating you were a captain in the throne room the night you arrived.”
Was she in the room when I was dragged in? I’d remember seeing her red hair. Her husband or Nyx must have told her.
She’s right, though. When I think about all the conversations I’ve had since arriving in Umbra, I don’t recall mentioning my name to anyone. Not even the beautiful and kind creature before me.
I extend my hand to the queen, and she looks at me quizzically.
“Name’s Theodore, but my friends call me Theo.”
I’m relieved to see softness return to her features as she slides her hand into mine. Those familiar sparks skirt my skin, causing me to shiver.
I can’t get used to that feeling. Why does it happen every time we touch?
“It’s very nice to meet you, Theo. But I have a confession. I already know your name. It’s sort of my job.” She shrugs her shoulders and drops my hand, looking away from me.
I shake my head in disbelief. “If you’ve known my name this whole time, why haven’t you said it?”
All expression leaves her face, and vacant, green eyes meet mine, slashing at my soul.
“There’s power in a name, Theodore Robert Kincaid. Power that wasn’t mine to wield,” she states.
