The Queen (Omega Bloodlines #2)

by S.C. Morrison

Each one nodded, and Fenix stepped forward. “Don’t worry, we won’t let you down.” His eyes blazed with excitement. Less than twenty-four hours until my dreams of freedom fell apart. We needed that shield to work before the armada arrived, and there was only one way to make that happen. We had to get the condenser running.

Am I back in Sandrock? lol

With the imminent arrival of enemy ships weighing on my mind, I was doing my best to stay calm. The planetary defense shield was the only thing that would ensure long-term safety. That was my main focus. And I still didn’t know if we could fix it, or even reach it in the ruins. As soon as this was over, we were going to find out.

I leaned into his rippling chest. “Yes, that.” His cock lengthened against my belly, and my nipples tightened. “You’re gonna make us late.” I tipped my head back, letting the fall of water rinse the soap from my hair. “Not if you go fast.”

Um Tick Tock ppl? Don't you have an interplanetary defense system to get up and running before the baddies arrive?

Bundled in towels, we left the bathroom to a gallery of annoyed glances. Not mad, but jealous, wishing we had more time so they could’ve joined in. “We’re in a hurry. Fenix is waiting on us,” Lex growled, but the half-smile ruined the effect.

Yeeess. Let's take our time with that condenser commission. It's not like it's for anything important /s

Night fell. The firmament was alight with dancing colors and the air was filled with the bite of salty sea. We were only a few hours from our destination. At dawn we’d know if we’d come this far for nothing or for everything.

Um. Why did you stop? Don't you guys have less than 24 hours to get your planet's defense system online? This isn't Minecraft, you are allowed to mine at night 🎶

We were all taking advantage of this short reprieve because there was still a long journey ahead of us. The next step would be to set out first thing tomorrow morning. Our path would leave the shelter of the trees and continue through flat farmland. I hoped the starfighters had taken the bait and followed Arkyn and Fenix, otherwise we’d be vulnerable in the open.

...Again, not being an asshole but wouldn't it be easier to go undetected at night? Why did you stop?

the armada would arrive in less than twenty-four hours. We had to get the defense shield up and we had to do it fast. I just hoped it’d be strong enough. If not, my crown wouldn’t matter at all. Nothing we’d done so far would matter. I’d be back on the Hive or dead.

Your procrastination is stressing my poor ADHD self out.

“That’s because they aren’t stars. Those lights are the Imperatrix’s ships,” Ghost said. Fear spiked through my veins. “They look so close. I hadn’t expected to be able to see them.” Ghost reached past Grey to squeeze my hand. “Based on their speed, size, and our planetary rotation, I’m not surprised at where they are. They’re right on schedule.”

🕛😰

“Is there enough time? What if we’re too late? Maybe we should keep going.” I squirmed against Lex, concern overwhelming my good sense. Grey huffed out a chuckle. “You know the timetable, little one. If they’re on track, there’s still time.”

But seriously how much time do you think you will need to fix the condenser? This isn't Sandrock!

Grey scooted closer, cupping my cheek. “Shhh, little one. I can feel your unease. Let us take care of you.” His warm lips settled over mine as his body molded to my front. Lex’s purr rumbled against my back, and he moved my hair away from my neck for better access. He pressed kisses along my throat and across where it curved to meet my shoulder.

You have the time and energy to do this right now? But not press on to the condenser?

They’d distracted me from my concerns and set my mind at ease. I let the warmth and safety of their arms reassure me and soon my eyelids fluttered closed. I could worry about the ships tomorrow after we knew if the shield would hold. It had to hold. Surrounded by my mates and my confidence in the plan restored, I was finally able to sleep.

Do you guys have a back up plan? Will you even have time for a back up plan at this point?

I wished I could stay there, safe with the sweet-tempered creatures, and not go back into that building full of unknown memories. The possibility of reminders from my past haunted me, and the longer I delayed, the more I scared myself. There was only so much I could do to put off the inevitable. Once the animals were seen to, it was obvious I was stalling.

😰🕛⌚👀🧿🧿💥💥💥💥

Shadow snorted. “Needy omega.” A slow, predatory smile bloomed on his face. “You’re filthy.” Calling across the fire, he continued. “Lex, our queen needs a bath.” Lex had returned from his walk in the dark, and glanced up from where he’d been setting up the sleeping pallets. “Yes, she does. We can’t have you covered in grime when the others get back.”

Right. Because a bath is more important right now 🛁 THAN SURVIVAL

My belly clenched, and I let out a breathy moan. “I do.” I grit my teeth, clawing for a brief glimpse of sanity. “I just saved the planet with my own blood. The least you can do is fuck me.” My alphas chuckled, and my stomach fluttered at the sound.

. . .....You guys are just determined to go nowhere fast aren't you? Didn't you have enemy ships within the barrier somewhere lurking?? Did you forget about those?

Grey cast a long suffering glance at the sky that was still flickering with rainbow flashes and took a deep breath. His words broke through the haze, and I heard him say, “I don’t know what you were doing while we were gone, although I can imagine, but you pushed her into heat.” “Well, fuck.” Shadow didn’t sound all that mad about it. Lex breathed out half a chuckle. “Fuck, indeed.” Ghost grinned. “Fuck, yeah.”

SMH. 🤬🫥

Search vessels scanned the ruins in the murk of soupy darkness. Their sensors and spotlights hindered them more than helped in the fog. The dense haze would be reflecting everything right back at them. They’d be chasing their own shadows as long as the weather held. That would buy us time,

Okay. So the Weather☁️ is all that is keeping you safe right now?

Without a moment to spare, I harvested what I could, turned off the lamp, and headed back to camp. Before leaving the field, I cast one more glance down the mountain. The ships hadn’t moved at all. Once more, Verden’s strange weather patterns were assisting in our plans.

The planet is a bro and wants them to fuck so they fuck ツ My head, my poor exploding head.

The first one I loved, the last one to bond. He’d come to find me when everyone else had given up, to save me, and he brought my entire world with him. Without him, none of us would be here. He was far from perfect, but he was exactly who I needed him to be.

Didn't you start this fuckfest 30+ pages ago, pretty please can we start running away from the ships searching for you now?

I had a feeling that completing the bond had energized it in some way. The searchers were going to be even more ravenous to find us now.

🙄💥💀

I tossed and turned in the bedding that had been dragged to the edge of the spring last night. After I’d fluffed the pillows and blankets perfectly, we’d all tried to get some sleep, but that hadn’t lasted long. The barest hint of pastel light already graced the horizon, and bird song danced in the chilly predawn air. The suns’ rays would soon burn through the fog and our short window of cover would be gone.

You know, if you hadn't had an orgy and then decided to sleep the entire night after said orgy, your "short window of cover" wouldn't be quite so short. You dumbasses did this to yourselves.

“Saphyra, your heat passed. There’s no excuse for this behavior.” He chuckled while deflecting my teasing touches for the fourth time.

🤡🤯🤯🤯

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been out, but the sun was high and warm through the dappled shadows of the trees. Lex’s lips lingered against my temple. “We didn’t mean to wake you, love.” I squirmed and rolled my neck, stretching out the sore muscles as best I could, all bundled up in a thick cloak as I was. “It’s fine. I think I’m done resting. We need to talk about what’s happening, anyway.” Ghost twisted around in his saddle. “Now that you’re up, I was gonna try to contact Maddox. He may have more information this morning. Maybe find out how bad it is in there, or out here.”

...You decided to wait until she was awake .... how precious..ly stupid of you.

How much time do we have?” “Oh, I see. Now you want to share. You might have mentioned that sooner.” Maddox chuckled. Lex interrupted as his horse’s shoulder checked its way closer through the brush. “Fuck off, Maddox. The Queen’s life is on the line.”

Why is he laughing?

One is five minutes from you to the south, the other is three hours away on the other side of the valley. So, in about ten minutes, those fighters are going to find you and call for ground troops. That area is about to be crawling with Imperatrix soldiers.” I shoved my fingers into my spiky hair. “That doesn’t give us much time.”

Gee, maybe instead of snarking at each other, you could have used this valuable time to get the hell out of dodge? No shit Sherlock you are out of time.

Shadow paused a moment longer before urging our shared horse forward. “The fighters headed away from our location, but I thought I heard an explosion.” “I heard it too, but the trees and valleys can distort sound. It could’ve been anything,” Ghost said. Despite his words, worry infused his voice.

🎵 Don't go chasing boom boom 💥 sounds, stick to the trees and valleys that you're used to 🎶

“It’s genius, I know. You don’t have to say it.” Ghost buffed his nails on his shoulder. I held back a laugh. “You know he can’t see you, right?” Ghost gasped theatrically. “Maddox, can you not see me?” “No, idiot. I can’t see you.” Maddox sounded mildly bored but maybe the tiniest bit amused by Ghost’s shenanigans. If nothing else, I was grinning.

So your bonded packmate is risking his life right now to give you a chance to escape? Is self congratulatory humor and bad jokes really the best use of your time?

That whiny voice. I recognized that voice. One of Edeth’s lackeys, Mik, I think they called him. Insignificant other than his family name, or so it had seemed at the time. Realization of his betrayal dawned, and it was like cold water in my face. He’d been there that day when Shadow had sparred with Fenix’s team. The alphas had treated him as a friend. But here I was, heaving on all fours in the dirt because, apparently, he valued his position more than loyalty. The ground lurched, and I wobbled. Maybe I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I didn’t even know where I was or what had happened.

SMH. Jump sweetie. Jump.

There was nothing in the dungeon at all, not even a palette to lie on. Beyond the confines of our cell was a dark room with a tiny window high on the far wall. The trickle of light that spilled from it looked artificial. Not like sunlight at all.

I don't know which line is more humorous. Not having a "palette" 🎨 to sit on or artificial light looking... artificial?

“No, that’s not possible.” All the heat drained from my entire body. That couldn’t be. The dizziness and ringing slammed back into me. I needed to sit down. Or lay down. Something. My hand fell to my belly, but it felt the same as always. A giddy happiness rushed over me before anxiety sent the room spinning. I dropped to my knees. I was trapped in a cage. My greatest enemy’s prisoner. Shadow was unconscious, and I was pregnant.

🎼If you're... happy and you know it but also sad? clap your 👏👏👏 If you're screwed but you refuse to show it clap your hands 👏👏👏 🎶

His words warmed my trembling, adrenaline saturated heart, but… “How long have you been awake? Why didn’t you help me?” He brushed off his dirty uniform, smirking. “Not long. You already had it well in hand. Who was I to stop you, my queen?” Normally, his voice held an edge of mockery, but not this time. He sounded sincere, and the way his eyes captured mine settled my racing pulse.

Riiight. "Hey babe, be a dear and deal with this assassination attempt while I pretend to still be unconscious why don't you?"

Shadow worked quickly, arming himself with the weapons from the table before handing me back the knife. I shuddered at the sticky handle but pushed it up my sleeve like I had before.

Umm. That's.. that's a good place for it. Sure why not? Is not like you will need to bend your arm anytime soon or worry about nicking an artery...

We need to get you showered and changed into more suitable clothes right away.” Violet made a good point, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought she was wrong. “No. Let everyone see what they’ve done.” I plucked the crown from Violet’s trembling fingers and placed it snugly on my gore-stained head. We needed to find the others.

Okay, I applaud you for going full Carrie 👏💃🪓

Shadow sounded very calm about all of this. If he was right, and everything was fine, then I had no reason to panic. “Well, then, we need to move, obviously. Can they just meet us there?”

😆🔥

Something was missing, though. Where was Grey? I felt agony slice through the bond, and I struggled free of my alpha’s python-like embrace. “Grey?” I mumbled against the constricting appendages. With some effort, I managed to squirm away. “Where’s Grey? Help me look.”

Not poor Sad Gray Man, you forgot him again!