Hive Queen by Sinclair, Grayson (positive books to read .txt) 📕

than her. She was strong, but so cold. We value strength above all else, but strength must be equal to temperament, or we will follow the same path as the Hive of old.

“You seem a far kinder queen, but also a far weaker queen.”

My jubilation fell as she reached the end. I was happy to have even a modicum of her support, but I couldn’t deny the reality of the situation. I was weak. I’d known this, but now it was staring me in the face as an immutable fact.

I nearly died. I was so close to death, and I could do nothing. If not for Evelyn, I would have perished. The life I’d built in such a short time was more precious to me than anything, and I’d almost let it slip through my fingers.

That couldn’t happen again.

“Reina, I have a favor I must ask of you.”

Her smile deepened as she leaned ever so slightly closer to me. Her black widowed eyes glistened with interest. “You need my blessing.”

I nodded. “How did you know?”

“It’s obvious, and it was the first thing Aliria asked for as well, so I assumed.”

I sat up on the bed, disregarding trying to cover myself with the sheet. It didn’t matter. “I need the Arachne’s blessing if I’m to get stronger. Will you give it to me?”

Reina didn’t answer right away, instead she plucked a strand of her snow-white hair and twined it around her finger as she looked away and back again. Her eyes trailed hungrily over my skin, and when our eyes met, there was desire in hers.

“Have you forgotten our ways? Favors are not given, they are bought.”

“But I have noth─”

Reina leaned swiftly, and before I realized how close she was, her lips pressed firmly against my own in a kiss.

The suddenness along with the passion surprised me, and for a second, I lost myself in the need of another’s touch and returned her kiss. Reina’s lips were soft, her mouth willing as she ran her tongue across my mouth.

Her hand went to my neck while the other cupped my breast. I moaned as her firm hand squeezed, taking my nipple between her fingers. As she pinched down, I let out a shuddering gasp at the slight pain.

Reina pulled back a moment later, uncoupling our mouths with regret.

“You have one thing,” she said a little breathless.

I shook my head. “I can’t.”

“Why?” She cocked her head to the side as she tapped a finger on her lip. “Because of your human?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

She scowled in annoyance, brushing her fingers over my hand that pulsed with the rapid beat of her heart. “I don’t understand why you would hold yourself to human standards when you are so far beyond them.”

I frowned, folding my arms over my chest. “That’s not what I’m doing at all.”

“Isn’t it?” she asked, blinking rapidly. “Tell me, do you find an issue with sharing a bed together?”

“Well, no, but─”

Her fingers silenced my lips as she smiled widely. “Then you are absolutely holding yourself to an ideal you don’t believe in to appease your human. You are the Hive Queen, yet you act like you have no power.”

“Because I have very little…”

Reina surged forward and grabbed me around the throat, her fingers gripped tight as fire filled her eyes. “If you have no power, then take what power you can. I’m offering you power. Take it. Or do you want to continue to be what I thought when you first appeared? A false queen?”

I grabbed her wrist and forced her hand away. Reina was strong, like all of the Arachne, but she couldn’t match the strength of an entomancer.

“I am the Hive Queen!”

She gave me a fierce smile. “Then act like it.”

Her face was so close to mine, and I wanted nothing more than her lips. Logic and desire took the fight from me. Reina came closer a second time and pressed her forehead to mine. Her lips barely touched my own before I pulled her into my embrace.

***

“Do be sure to say goodbye to Tegen and Cheira. They’ve grown fond of you,” Reina said as she stood in the doorway. “You are free to enter and exit the Darkwoods at your leisure. You can even bring your human next time. I’m anxious to see the kind of man you decided to bind yourself to.”

Then she left and I was alone with my conflicted thoughts.

I sat on the edge of the bed with my head in my hands. Did I just ruin everything? I didn’t know. I loved Sam more than anything, but I didn’t always agree with him. I understood his ideals and respected them, but Reina was right. I wasn’t human, and I shouldn’t hold myself to them.

But I also knew that what I’d done was a betrayal to Sam. I’d betrayed him, and that thought sickened me.

I hope you’ll forgive me, my bonded, and that you’ll understand.

Despite how I felt about it, I was undeniably stronger now. Reina’s blessing flowed through my veins and brought a new life to my limbs. It was powerful, but it might have cost me everything.

Not a minute after she departed, there was a knock at the door, and russet-skinned man with long braided hair entered with a bundle of clothing. The man was familiar to me. I’d seen him with the commander.

“Where is your bonded?” I asked.

“He’s scouting the boundary of the forest, making sure everything is in order for your departure,” he said, laying the clothes at the foot of the bed. “Have a fair day, Hive Queen.”

He left, and I dressed quickly. Reina had provided me with an outfit similar to the one she wore. It was a pair of tight, dark pants and a flowy tunic that