Dungeon Alliances
“How do I look?” Matilda asked, observing her figure in the gilded mirror.
“You’ve always been unfortunate-looking, and despite the finery—how can I put this gently? We’re putting lipstick on a pig at this point.”
Matilda laughed until her stomach cramped and her child nudged her, reminding her of their existence.
Beyond Belzara’s boar stew, Matilda had grown fond of the woman’s confidence and blunt nature.
Those qualities made her an obvious choice for lady-in-waiting.
She didn’t want anyone in her life or royal circle who resorted to mincing words.
“Making you presentable for your wedding day and coronation will be a feat.”
“One that you’ll be capable of overtaking, I presume?”
“Of course, Tilda. I believe I have proven myself to you over the past month. I may have the most laborious task in Night Falls, but consider it done.”
Matilda grinned in the mirror and nodded.
She couldn’t blame Belzara; she had been looking a little sapped since the challenge.
It felt as if everything was hitting her at once—drowsiness due to insomnia, sensitivity to light that forced her to stay indoors unless the moon had risen, and a lack of appetite.
She’d been forcing herself to eat for the sake of her child, but everything tasted like sawdust.
“What is one step up from a pig with lipstick?”
“A goat with lipstick,” Belzara replied without hesitation.
“Wonderful. I aim to be a goat with lipstick on my wedding day.”
Belzara snorted and continued adding more touches to Matilda’s wedding dress.
“Aye. You’ll be the most magnificent goat in all the lands,” she teased playfully. “I never thanked you, Tilda.”
“Thank me? For what, my sweet Belzara?”
“For saving me from my brother. If it weren’t for you, I’d be stuck there, working my hind off for a handful of coins.
There were times I didn’t receive a wage, and Belzar would tell me to be grateful I had a roof over my head and to stop complaining.
Once, he told me he would send me to the brothels, but they’d send me right back.
I thought I had my chance to escape when the merchant proposed marriage to me, but he was only after my measly portion of the tavern.
What a fool I’ve been. I will be a spinster, never to know what another’s touch and affection will feel. ”
Matilda’s joyous mood tanked. Orcs weren’t known for their attractiveness.
In fact, many called them hideous. Typically, they coupled within their own race; however, there weren’t many orcs in Night Falls; pickings were slim.
Matilda believed beauty was in the eye of the beholder and that there were many beautiful things about Belzara—loyalty, empathy, compassion—the list went on.
Any gent worth his grain of salt would be lucky to have her.
“Cheer up, Belzara. There is someone out there for everyone. You just haven’t found him yet. Hell, if I wasn’t fated to the pale one, I would make an honest woman out of you just for your stew alone.”
“Your words haunt me.”
Matilda gasped. “How so?”
“Being wedded to you would be an absolute nightmare.”
“I ask once more, how so?”
“Your hair sheds like you’re some woolly beast, you talk too much, you’re a ruffian, and—”
“And she is perfect for me,” Luka said from the doorway, making Matilda’s cheeks heat.
“For a king, I thought you would’ve had higher standards.”
Luka frowned in disapproval. He noticed that Matilda and Belzara had a peculiar relationship and felt that Belzara was verbally abusive to his fated mate.
Matilda would laugh it off, and the women would change the subject.
He didn’t like it, but Ezra told him to stay out of it, and he would.
However, at the first sign of a tear, he would throw Belzara on her ass.
“If I were to reach any higher, I’d surpass the moon.”
“You flatter me, my King.”
“Suddenly, I feel unwell. May I be excused, my Queen?”
“Of course. I’ll find you.”
Belzara curtsied to the royal couple and left.
“She makes my fangs itch.”
Matilda rolled her eyes, knowing she’d receive a lecture about her dear friend. “I know Belzara can be opinionated and crass, but she’s like a mother to me. She clothed, fed, and housed me, and—”
“Generosity doesn’t beget abusiveness.”
“Abuse? You’re mistaken, my King,” she insisted. “It is only playful banter between Belzara and me. She means not what she says in earnest.”
“The playful banter, as you call it, appears grotesquely one-sided.”
“May we put this subject to rest?” she asked, suddenly feeling a headache coming on.
Luka studied her in silence. His queen wasn’t usually one for pleasantries. He took a closer look and noticed how washed out she appeared. She had bags under her eyes, and her rich skin was dull and sallow.
“We may as soon as we put you to bed.”
“I’m not tired,” Matilda protested as he scooped her off her feet.
“As a precaution, I’ll have the physician visit after your nap.”
A few minutes later, she was changed into her nightgown and tucked beneath the thick furs she loved. “Sleep, my Queen,” he demanded, closing her eyelids with his fingers, only for them to snap back open. “Always so stubborn,” he whispered, kissing her lips.
“Perhaps you can bore me to sleep by recounting your day.”
Luka snorted and smoothed his hand gently over her belly. He felt a soft push from his child and smiled. “He is incredibly strong.”
“She is,” Matilda countered.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Tilda. It is a boy.”
“How do you know?”
“Intuition. Sleep.”
“I can’t.”
“Will warm milk do?”
“With cinnamon.”
“I shall return.”
“I shall be waiting.”
Luka had barely left when Ezra entered.
“Have you completed the task I assigned?” Matilda asked.
“More and more, I feel I am working for you and not King Alesi.”
“Precisely. What have you learned?”
“Prince Lykaon has appointed a new beta, and Beta David has been struck from the registry, listed as deceased, and since he didn’t have a mate, his assets and possessions were passed to the newest beta.”
“This is wonderful news, Ezra.”
“How so?”
“David has nothing to return to—no status, power, or wealth.”
“He could always challenge the new beta for his title.”
“In his current condition? Good luck, I say.” Matilda chuckled and threw the cover off her. “Hand me my robe.”
“Why do I have the feeling you will be making our king very mad in the near future?” he sighed, obliging her demand.
“Oh, Ezra. He will be incensed, but don’t you worry. I know just what might cheer him up.”
“Not being reckless would go a long way.”
“Reckless and huntress are synonymous.”
“Clearly,” he replied, following her out of the chambers. They approached the dungeon, and he briefly considered changing her mind but decided against it. She didn’t listen to the king; why would she listen to her bodyguard?
“Back so soon?” David asked in a defeated tone. He was growing weaker by the day, and figured he had less than a week before he closed his eyes for a final time. “The guards spoke of your prowess at the challenge. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Beta David. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you and your generous contributions.”
“Blinding her with my blood and then beheading your opponent? You are truly wicked, huntress.”
“Sometimes you have to call upon wickedness to survive.”
“True. Why are you here?”
“I have come to share intel that I think you should be privy to. You may see the light of day again, depending on what you do with this information.”
“I’m intrigued,” he remarked, shifting into the light.
“Your beta position has been filled, you’ve been struck from the registry and declared dead, and this new beta is inundated with your wealth. Did I leave anything out, Ezra?”
“No, my Queen.”
Matilda closely observed David’s reaction. He held his stony appearance for several seconds before a single tear dropped.
He turned his back to her. “I wish to be alone,” he said, voice thick with emotion.
“You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
“Will you be so cruel as to not allow me to die in peace?”
“Death is not imminent for you,” Matilda purred.
“I am no longer a member of my pack; I have no title or a home to return to. This is death.”
“This is self-deprecation. Would you like to join me for dinner, Beta David?”
“Matilda!” Ezra cried out. “King Alesi would not hear of this! He is a prisoner of war!”
Matilda waved him off and retrieved a key she had stolen from one of the guards on the way in.
“What do you say, Beta David? Would you like to spend the remainder of your days in here, or would you like to have a nice hot bath and enjoy a feast fit for a queen?”
David looked over his shoulder at Matilda, wondering if he had heard her correctly.
She allowed her words to sink in, taking in the obvious skepticism on his face.
“Why not ask me what you clearly want?”
“What is it that I want?”
“You want me to declare my allegiance to you.”
“Oh, no, no, no. Declaring your allegiance simply isn’t enough; you need to prove it to me as well.”