The Reef's Treasure

Chapter 14

The Queen Answers To No One

"I'm going to kill that son of a bitch."

"Did you really just say that out loud?"

Massaging my aching head, my blurry eyes focused in front of me. It took a second before my brain registered whose voice I heard. Oh God, did I just threaten the Queen's brother? I swallowed hard, in front of the Queen?

I blinked several times before my vision fully returned. Shit. It was the Queen. I barely managed to utter "Your majesty," before I comprehended she was sitting across from me on a high back chair with her long legs draped over one side. Unlike the last time I regained consciousness in the Queen's custody, I was not lying on a soft bed. When I realized I was looking up rather than at eye level with the Queen it dawned on me that this time I woke up on the hard cold floor; practically at the feet of the wine drinking ruler.

Slowly lifting myself off the ground, I took a quick inventory of myself and the room. It was different but I had the same cat suit on; holes and all. Looking at my shoulder I discovered that my wound had not been attended to and it was throbbing like hell. I had nearly forgotten about the slice on my cheek until I had an itch and saw the dry blood under my finger nails. Now I was getting pissed.

Attempting to distract my already bad mood I further inspected my new environment. The space was dim and its only light source was several multi-tiered candle operas randomly scattered about the room. To my left I vaguely saw a large construction so I walked closer to better examine it. Not all too surprising the big structure was a very large bed; one I thought would easily sleep five or six people depending on how friendly everyone got.

Perhaps out of turn I snapped at the ruler, "Is this how you treat all your guests?"

A long silence proceeded before she lazily rose from her seat as if I had said nothing at all.

"I had to be sure you were worthy of my audience."

I'm sure I was about to say something smart before the Reef Goddess interrupted me. However with a flick of her wrist she summoned a servant who entered the room holding a bronze serving tray with a singular chalice of wine on it.

This wasn't the same young servant I had earlier. In fact she was much older and how shall I say developed. She wore the same near sheer tunic but to my surprise it was longer; nearly touching the ground. One would think that the longer gown would hide more and it probably would have, if it hadn't been for those body length slits running down both sides.

Thankfully stealing my attention away from the beautiful woman the Queen uttered, "You look thirsty. Drink."

Not in the mood to be toyed with another second I countered, "No thanks."

"It wasn't a request." As instructed, the servant moved the tray closer.

Being tired of played and pushed around I erupted, knocking the delicate glass and tray to the ground. "I said I don't want a fucking drink!"

A hint of terror rushed over the servant's soft blue face but before I could apologize, the Queen interjected. "Rila leave it." The young woman's beautiful facial markings wrinkled as she recoiled. The glass had broken into several pieces and the liquid was seeping into the carpet.

Nearly beyond reproach I prodded, "Why did you invite me to the Reef?"

To no surprise there was no answer.

"Damn it why am I here?!"

My tone caused the Queen to spin around. "You really want to know?"

"Yes"

This time the Queen held a single glass in her hand. "Then drink."

I began backing up as she approached. "No way am I drinking that." Unfazed the white warrior continued towards me, "I've seen what that shit can do."

Her right hand held another chilled chalice. Inside swirled a dark red beverage. It looked refreshing. At least this time it wasn't blue. Shockingly, the Queen stopped right in front of me. "I understand your mistrust." Without hesitation she took a rather large sip from the frosted goblet then handed it to me. "Will you drink it now?"

By all logic, it couldn't be poisoned or she would have just poisoned herself too. But why would she do that? My brain searched for an answer, What if she was immune to this type of poison? Oh great, now what?

Sensing that my mind was racing my hostess offered, "I would not put you through all that just to kill you now." After the ruthless leader had absentmindedly placed the glass in my hand she gingerly sauntered away. "What kind of monster do you think I am?"

The rhetorical question sent a shiver up my back. That was one query I did not want to answer.

I forced down a hard gulp of air under her prying gaze. I knew she was watching and at that moment it didn't seem that I had a lot of options. Wishing I could call my ghost to send me anywhere but here; I hesitantly faltered and finally took a long swallow of the red wine.

Feeling the chill of the beverage flow down the back of my throat I considered, Well, if it ends here, it ends now.