The Nightmare Queen (The Allora Chronicles Book 1) by C.V. Betzold

Author:C.V. Betzold [Betzold, C.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-12-11T00:00:00+00:00

Eveera was face down in the chaise’s pillows the moment we stepped back into the apartment. I drifted by her and into my office where the pile of paperwork still waited along with the faint reminder of the queen and I’s previous interaction here. Despite exhaustion threatening to pull me under, there wouldn’t be any sleep for me. Not when there was so much to fix, so much to change, so much to clean up.

The sun was rising when we’d left the cells but it burns brighter now, streaming through the windows and the orange glow that casts throughout the room warms up the space.

Knock knock.

I look over my glasses to Bennett peeking his head in. “Thought you could use this.” He states placing a glass full of bourbon in front of me. Unexpected but I’ll take it.

“I expected this to be coffee.” I say, lifting the drink up to my lips.

He takes the seat opposite me dusting off his pants as he stretches out. “Ah. Well, that drink is waiting in front of the very sound asleep queen out there. Coffee didn’t seem strong enough for you.” His face is as hollow as I feel at the moment. I’m not ignorant to the fact that the hit to Bair’s post affected him the most. Being the Commander over this post while I was away hasn’t been the lightest job, and I would bet money he’s feeling responsible for Wriercliff.

“You look tired, friend.”

He chuckles, “so do you.”

My head drops into my hands, “Fuck Ben…I don’t know how to get us out of this. I thought by bringing the Obsid’s here we’d tank them quickly. A massive show of force, an immediate win. But…”

“But?” He asks softly.

I suck in a deep breath, “but…I’ve only cost them their lives. Men and women who don’t trust me but are willing to fight on the word of their queen. They trust her enough to gamble their lives for people they hate. But my own soldiers, my own men, don’t trust me enough to not fucking betray us.” His body shifts to lean forward resting both arms on the desk.

“They’re my men too Rorin. And they were under my control while you were gone. How many times have we had to flip flop the roles of command due to your responsibilities in Valen?” I groan into my palms. “As for the queen…not to be insensitive but you contracted them. They’re getting paid to be here. Which is more than I can say for our men, unfortunately.” Anger crawls up my neck as I think about the hand my father has had in all of his citizens’ lives and they don’t see a dime for it. “Gods, this is all a bloody mess.” He grunts in agreement, reclining back in the chair again to stare at the ceiling. The two of us ruminating in the silence.

“Will’s furious with me.”

“Ha. When is he not?” I know it’s meant to be a jest, but the barb stings all the same.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.