Suddenly, I was lonelier in the universe than I’d ever felt.
“It is normal to feel shocked about all of this,” Apex said. His voice was surprisingly gentle. Not warm, necessarily, but kind, at least. “But that is why—”
Suddenly, the door swung open again. One of the tiny, blue-skinned servants put her back against it to hold it open, and very quietly, Apex uttered something in a language that my translator chip didn’t quite seem to catch.
It sounded like a swear.
“My apologies, Atlanta. Unfortunately, between your indignation at my viewing your body and all of your questions, it appears we have run out of time.” Apex turned his gaze toward the open door like he was already expecting what was about to come through it. “You will be cross with me, but understand that I did try to warn you—”
When the other servants rolled in a tall, golden birdcage with a me-sized door on it, I immediately knew what he meant.
“You bastard!” I swore at him, springing to my feet. “You said—”
“I said I would get you out of the dungeons,” he reminded me once more. There was a cruel smirk on his lips, but his eyes bored into me again as he offered me his hand: don’t say anything else. “Do you trust me?”
“Not in the least.” I took his hand anyway, knowing better than to fight this. If Apex had plans—plans that he obviously didn’t want the servants overhearing—then it didn’t matter if I trusted him or not.
Out of one cage and straight into another.
Once again, I didn’t have any choice.
4
Apex
It was unfortunate that I had not been granted the chance to brief Atlanta properly. There was simply so much to cover if she wanted to understand the full scope of her new situation. I had thought we would have more time.
Of course, we would have had more time if it had not been for the little power play we had found ourselves locked in. Admittedly, I was partially at fault there. I had played the instigator with my staring. Looking the way she did, it was hard not to stare at Atlanta, no matter what she was wearing, and I was not accustomed to averting my gaze from that which I wanted. But she had responded so beautifully in return—strutting nude with pride before me, dripping with bubbles and snipping orders—it was difficult to regret pushing her into it.
It spoke well of her ability to manage herself, and of her likelihood of surviving all that was to come as well.
I accepted courtiers in my chambers for the rest of the day. Nightmoor was full of political prisoners, and many wished for me to relay their goodwill toward Lady Idria on their behalves. Beyond the sand dunes at the edges of the palace’s grounds, the commoners lived in tents with little water and even less food, but here in the palace, Queen Lieja’s court was comprised of slightly more high-profile convicts. Scheming lords and ladies who had betrayed their monarchs, ambassadors who had fallen out of favor, the illegitimate cubs of emperors and kings—Nightmoor Palace held them all. As soon as Queen Lieja had been transported here following a jealous, ill-conceived attack on the Lunarian General Kloran’s chosen mate, she had taken her place at the palace’s throne and whipped the entire court into shape with her will—but there was no mistake about it. None of the nobles who were kept here wanted to remain on Nightmoor if they could help it, and given Lady Idria’s latest meddlings in intergalactic politics, she was the most likely candidate to grant them clemency.
As her agent here, that meant that I had to entertain those who wished to kiss her noble ass in her stead.
When the last of them finally left, I showered, dressed and made my way to Idria’s feast for the evening. All day, Atlanta had been on my mind. I knew exactly where I would find her when I entered the ballroom. I was not wrong. There at Queen Lieja’s side, Atlanta’s cage glistened in the candlelight. It was a beautiful creation, gilded and decorated with little golden leaves and flowers. Though, not quite as beautiful as the creation it contained, of course.
Even in the midst of all the perfumed and overdressed nobles at Lieja’s feast, Atlanta was still easily the most ravishing-looking female in the room.
As I approached, I saw the look on her face: disdain and fury. Her fists were clenched tight around the cage’s bars, knuckles white, and her eyes burned with emerald fire.
I did not blame her. Queen Lieja had insisted that if Atlanta was to be removed from the dungeons, she could not be allowed to wander free until her attitude changed. But if anything, Atlanta looked more murderous now than ever.
Murderous and beautiful, even in her cage. A dangerous combination.
She would look even lovelier, I was certain, if I could find a way to get her out.
“Your Highness.” I bowed deeply to Lieja as I came to the table. “You look as radiant as ever this evening.”
Lieja, who looked the same as she always did—tight clothes and too much makeup—grinned and giggled at the compliment.
“Apex. Oh, you must try this wine we’re having tonight. Votan—move.” Lieja struck out a hand and shoved one of her paramours from the seat next to her. He opened his mouth to argue as his dull gray skin flushed a shade darker, but Lieja silenced him with a look before he got a single word out. After he had removed himself, Lieja patted his vacated seat and batted her lashes at me. “Apex, come, sit here and have a glass. It’s divine.”
The wine was no different than any other I
