“There will be plenty for you to do soon,” I assured them. “My attentions, unfortunately, will be focused on the courtly aspects of our ruse.”
“Focused on Queen Lieja’s tits, more like,” Gallix grumbled.
I chose to ignore him. “Meanwhile, I need the two of you to be my eyes and ears here. I cannot manage Atlanta, attend to Lieja’s nonsense, appease Idria and gather intelligence. If you want something to do, watch, listen.”
“What about fighting?” Gallix suggested. “We could do with some fighting. Lots of limp-wristed-looking males around here. They could probably do with being roughed up a little. You know, just for a bit of fun.”
“No fighting.” I gave the order to both of them, though it was only really Gallix who needed to hear it. “Keep your heads down and your senses alert. The last thing any of us needs is more attention right now. If our plan is to work, we need to remain covert until it is time to strike.”
“Perhaps you could enlighten us a little more on the particulars of this plan.” Ronan turned his chin up at me. Coming from him, those were practically fighting words. “We know we are here to rescue Atlanta. You have not told us any more than that. What are we listening for? What are we waiting for? With more information, we could be of more use.”
Warriors. They were a nuisance, even if they were a necessary one. I was unaccustomed to working with anyone other than my fellow specters in the field. At least a specter could be counted on to double-cross you as soon as he found the opportunity. Warriors, on the other hand…they were unpredictable.
Too unpredictable.
“I’ve given you all the information that I can for now,” I said honestly. “Any more than what you have…no. We are all safest if you do not know.”
Ronan and Gallix left my room looking like I had just doused them in water and insulted their mothers. I could not blame them. I would not have liked to be kept in the dark either.
But this was not their operation. It was mine, and there were things to be accounted for that even I could not control. To tell them everything, come clean completely, would only jeopardize our goals.
Things like my communicator, which trilled gently from its place on my desk only a few moments after I closed the door behind them.
I took it in my hand and waved my palm over it. It whirred to life in an instant, projecting the blue light of a hologram as a face took shape over the device’s surface.
“I have been attempting to contact you all morning, Apex.” When Lady Idria’s visage appeared before me, she was already scowling. “It is not like you to ignore me—nor, in times like this, is it wise.”
“My apologies. I was busy entertaining Queen Lieja. It could not be avoided.”
“Queen Lieja.” Idria snorted. “I hope you kept your clothes on for this entertainment, Apex. I know how she is.”
“I did,” I assured her, even as I recalled the way Lieja had placed her hand dangerously far up my thigh during the final course. “Though not for lack of trying on her part.”
“Good. And how is your little plan coming along? Do your goons suspect your true intentions yet?”
“Not in the least.” In a way, it was a relief that Gallix and Ronan were so concerned with what they were doing, and not why they were doing it. They had questions, of course—but never the right ones. “The idiot warriors are all bluster, no brains. They suspect nothing. They are no threat to us.”
“Very good, Apex.” Finally, Idria smiled at me—wicked, red-lipped and smug. “If all goes well on Nightmoor, I believe you will be very pleased with how I will reward you after.”
“I am your loyal subject, Lady Idria. I always find your rewards to be more than sufficient.”
“Mm. And what of the human, Atlanta? Do you find her to be sufficient as well?”
My back teeth pressed together a little harder than normal, but I nodded. “She is pleasing to look upon, yes. She will be adequate for your intended uses…” I paused, uncertain of whether I should add the rest.
“But?”
“She remains unbroken despite her time in Lieja’s dungeons.” A memory flickered across my mind—the way she had refused my help, even when I had offered it to her in the most generous terms I could. Incredible. “The greatest risk she poses for your plans is her own insubordination.”
“Break her, then,” Idria said coldly. “That is within the realms of your abilities, is it not?”
“Of course, my lady.” I bowed my head to her as her hologram began to fade. “Whatever you wish—it is my command.”
3
Atlanta
The next time someone came down to my cell, it was to set me free.
Just like Apex promised. It was a big relief—maybe I could trust him after all.
I didn’t know why Apex was helping me, or even who he was. Or if he’d want something more from me than just that kiss on my hand later on. But as my collar was removed and I was taken to a private room with a big, bubble-filled tub of hot water in it, I was so grateful for a second that I wasn’t sure I cared.
A bath.
Maybe dreams really did come true.
The servants attending me, a gaggle of fussy alien women with powder-blue skin who barely came up to my hips, stripped me down so fast, I didn’t even have time to tell them that I could easily do it myself. They stood on ladders to help guide me into the bath. I was pushed and pulled in every direction by their surprisingly strong little hands. One minute, they were pushing my head under the water. The next, one of them was washing my feet while another worked sweet-smelling soap into my hair.
It was…admittedly, kind of nice. I hadn’t loved everything about my life back home, but it hadn’t been all bad.
