The Northern Hive
My cramps, momentarily tempered from the batch of tonic Gorvin insisted on packing, had continued to escalate throughout our overnight journey.
Each wave became more difficult to hide as the pain mounted.
From time to time, I squeezed Rhazien’s hand to expel some of the aches of my cycle.
In response, he would kiss my knuckles. He didn’t suspect my discomfort, and I didn’t want to worry him.
This was an important trip and I wasn’t going to pull his focus from his duty with something so normal. So manageable. So human.
We shared our carriage with Gorvin and Alba.
I’d insisted I needed a human female companion for the journey, seeing that most of my daily interactions lacked feminine connection.
Rhazien hadn’t batted an eye at the request. In fact, he agreed immediately, seemingly happy that I’d finally asked him for something.
Maybe he took it as a sign of my growing comfort within the Hive.
In truth, she’d become a confidant and I’d started to rely on her. Even trust her.
During the many hours traveling together, the steward and the chambermaid would sneak glances at us and occasionally shift their weight, careful to respect each other’s space.
Rhazien felt no such need for restriction.
He held my hand, caressed my knee, whispered into my hair, placed gentle kisses on my hands and temple.
I didn’t shy away from any of his affection. Each touch gave me a moment of reassurance that I made the right decision. To commit to him fully, my regent protector. His large hands swallowed mine whole and I imagined my troublesome doubts suffocating within our layered grasp.
Since agreeing to receive Rhazien’s shadow, my uncertainties had been dull but constant.
Like a roar from a distant raging river, it beckoned.
But I ignored it. Each kiss from the immortal I belonged to drowned out its calls.
Because what was the point in entertaining doubt?
Sure. My gifts could help locate this relic—this stone—that could prevent the next vampiric war, but I’d been used in worse ways for reasons far less important.
And in truth, I was using him too. For protection. For comfort. For pleasure.
Being here in this role kept my family safe as well. There wasn’t a better option. No available better outcome. This was going to work. It had to work.
“Don’t be nervous,” Rhazien breathed into my hair as the carriage came to a halt. “You’ll be safe with our guards.”
I gave him a soft smile. “And you.”
“And me.”
The doors promptly flew open, letting in the warm glow of torchlight and echoed murmurs.
Alba exited first, followed by Gorvin. Alone for the briefest moment in the transport, Rhazien stole a kiss. He lingered there, hovering on my lips. “I’ve wanted to do that for hours.”
I smiled and pulled him in for another, deeper kiss, suddenly wishing we could retreat to the seaside cottage he had mentioned. Just me and him. But peace in Atoris hung in the balance. There was no calling off this visit.
After reluctantly parting, he cradled my cheeks in his hands and whispered, “This meeting is crucial for keeping peace between the Hives. I may need to partake in customs not practiced in the home you’ve come to know.” I opened my mouth to respond but he continued, “Just remember, I’m still me.”
The footman announced him and he exited before I could ask him what he meant by this poorly-timed disclaimer. I was anxious and underprepared, but his warning pulled the rug out from under me.
Rhazien stood just outside the door to escort me out of the carriage. My name resonated off the stone walls and Rhazien’s hand steadied my descent to the cavern floor.
We were dressed in our most presentable travel garments, ready to be received by the Northern Hive court. My emerald gown featured a beaded embroidery made to match the patterns on Rhazien’s tunic. My hair was woven around a jeweled circlet complementing Rhazien’s golden crown.
Steps echoed behind me and the looming form of Dommik Thorne flanked my left side. We hadn’t spoken since the audience, not that there had been much opportunity. The weight of his stare pressed into me, only to flit away once I turned my gaze to his.
We needed to speak. After two days of travel, I’d crafted the perfect speech.
Dommik. What we may have felt for each other in the past is just that. In the past. And Rhazien is my future. There. That’s it. Nothing else needed to be said.
I refocused my attention to the small group of strangers waiting to welcome us in the broad, yawning cavern mouth. Torches lined the entry, their light barely extending halfway up the vast rocky walls. Shadows danced and disappeared to the dark ceiling.
How far had we descended?
Unease churned in my gut. Rhazien squeezed my elbow and his mossy eyes seemed to say, I’m here. You’re safe. My body relaxed slightly at the gesture.
“Welcome, old friend.”
We hadn’t officially met, but I would’ve recognized Eryx Morvain, Regent of the Northern Hive, anywhere. Even from his portrait in the Nobles and Notables text, I could tell he would be tall and his icy blue eyes were even more striking in person.
“Majesty, it’s been too long.” Goosebumps raised my skin as Rhazien moved away from me to embrace the stranger.
“Yes.” Hungry, malicious eyes peered at me over Rhazien’s shoulder. The attention I’d been dreading the entirety of the carriage ride landed on me and my blood ran cold. Eryx’s gaze bore into mine before raking down my form. “It has.”
His focus flicked to Dommik at my side.
“So, the rumors are true.” Eryx’s voice was like the crashing waves of the Northern Sea. His low tone commanded all others to cease conversation to hear him. “You’ve taken a prospect.”
“Indeed. Majesty, may I present, Lady Reyva Bergmont, my prospect.” Despite Eryx’s looming, dark aura, Rhazien beamed as he gestured to me.
I extended a gloved hand to the Northern regent. Eryx squeezed it tightly before placing a kiss on top of the leather barrier. He made no attempt to hide his fangs as his full lips spread into a smile that put me on edge. “It’s a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is entirely mine.” My practiced script flowed from me effortlessly. All my confidence was born from Rhazien’s hand placed on my back.
“Mmm.” He stood to his full height, eyes flicking to the tense commander. “Dommik Thorne. After sixty years away, you’ve returned at last.”
“Your Majesty,” Dommik clipped.
Eryx drew in a sharp breath. “This is just…” the already stagnant air thickened with his dramatic pause, “too familiar.”
Rhazien took my hand in his silence, drawing Eryx’s eye. “And yet, brand new. The beginning of a special era.”
Eryx clicked his tongue once before a practiced, disingenuous smile snapped into place beneath his pointed nose. “Come. We have much planned to commemorate your visit.” He motioned to everyone, turning away from me and leading us deeper into his hive.
Rhazien was immediately whisked away to begin his meetings with Eryx and his counselors. I expected his duties might call him away, but I hadn’t expected them to happen so soon after our arrival.
I kneaded my hands as I was escorted to chambers separate from Rhazien’s. He’d slept next to me in my rooms since my welcome ball…since the shade…and I’d grown to rely on his presence. He would come to me. He would keep his promise.
“Have you visited any of the other Hives before?” I asked Alba as I toured my simple chambers, not quite sure what else to do with myself.
“No, my lady. This is quite the unexpected adventure,” she chimed as she unpacked and organized my garments.
“Something makes me feel more settled knowing we’re on our first trip together,” I admitted.
“I’m happy to be a source of comfort, my lady,” she said, hanging the last of my garments. “And speaking of which, will you require more tonic for your pains?”
“They seemed to have subsided, Alba. Thank you.” I fidgeted, trying to focus my mind on anything else except for how deep below the surface we were. “Should I have told them? Is this—is this going to be a problem?”
She paused and folded her hands. “Are you bleeding now?”
“No,” I answered quickly.
She let out a small breath. "That's good. But…”
“But what?”
Alba hung a final decadent garment and turned to me. “Vampires typically prefer privacy with their partners when they’re on their cycle.” She paused and chuckled nervously. “It can be a very intimate time.”
My cheeks flushed at her insinuation.
“Should I…tell Rhazien?” I echoed my earlier question. Alba had served members of the Southern Hive for seven years. I trusted her counsel.
She nodded. Embarrassment for not having thought to ask these questions sooner slid up my spine. “When you’re able. As discreetly as possible.”
An hour later, Alba had helped me dress for the reception ball in a gown she described as the Northern fashion.
Strapless and backless with two dramatic slits exposing my thighs from the front.
I ran my hands down the silky fabric, admiring the way it hugged my frame.
My hair flowed over my shoulders like unbothered deep-sea waves.
My skin, as well as all of Rhazien’s traces claiming me, would be visible to all tonight.
I might belong to him, but I looked like vampire bait.
Another hour passed in the subterranean chamber and Alba had just bested me in our fourth game of cards when a brash knock rapped against the wooden door.
“Commander Thorne,” Alba chirped. I’d gone to my vanity to apply a fresh coat of rouge. I didn’t turn around but could see the beautiful nightmare in his dress clothes through the mirror. Black linen perfectly fitted to his soldier’s frame. No leather or metal armor tonight.
“To what do we owe the pleasure, Commander Thorne?” I asked like this was a social visit and he hadn’t been assigned to be my personal guard for weeks now.