The Bastard Queen (Viciously Yours #2)
Chapter Twenty-Four: Secret Free

Swiping the sudsy rag over my neck, I sighed as the cold water glided over my heated limbs. After sobbing myself to sleep the night or day before, I wasn’t entirely sure what time everything had gone down, I woke up sweating with dry tear tracks covering my cheeks. The sun was high in the sky this morning and the heat of the rays burned their way straight through the tent walls. Covered in sweat with throbbing eyes, I decided that before anything else could be done I needed a bath.

The silver ink covering my fingers winked in the sunlight coming through the seams of the blue tent. Everything seemed to hold a strange fragility today, like a sharp breeze could come along and sweep us all away. Even the way I was moving was soft and gentle, which was unnerving but not unpleasant. Better than feeling the embarrassment of last night’s events though. I didn’t particularly care that I attacked Cillian but it was the false reality, that I had been submerged in while doing it, that was terrifying.

Dropping the rag, I raised both hands to my eyeline and looked at the bare skin of my wrists. For some reason, the only chains that had ever bothered me in prison were the ones on my hands. The restriction of not being able to defend myself…the forced feeling of vulnerability. A shiver trailed over my shoulders at the thought and I shook it free from my head. Slapping my hands against the sides of the tub, I curled my fingers around the edges and pushed myself beneath the water.

Skin sliding over metal, I exhaled the air from my lungs and took comfort in the absolute silence surrounding me. No one was urging me to forget the past and move on, no one was questioning if I was stable, no one was calling me Queen. I was just Macha. Macha, the Unseelie Fae, who went up against Mab and lost. Macha, who went through an unspeakable amount of pain for the past seven hundred and fifty years. Macha, who liked chocolate and laughed when sliding a sword into someone’s gut.

More importantly, in this tub, I was the Macha who had the time to heal and accept what had happened to her. But as a pair hands grabbed onto my shoulders and ripped me from the water, I realized that I was the version of myself who’d always have to put others before my own needs. I just hadn’t realized how hard that’d be.

With my moment of tranquility ruined, I sucked in a large gasp of air and shoved my hair away from my face, “What in the Great Divine Fool do you think you’re doing?”

Silver eyes raced over my face as his hands squeezed my shoulders tightly, “What am I doing? What are you doing? Were you trying to drown yourself? I told you, I’d keep you above water.”

Brows furrowed, I gave him a disgruntled look, “I am not trying to kill myself. And even if I were to drown, it wouldn’t kill me.” When he continued to look at me, I flicked some bath water at him, “See? It’s not even laced with iron.”

“That’s not funny, Macha.” He barked, spying my smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I huffed sarcastically, “Apologies, If I scared you Commander but I’m fine. You didn’t need to burst into my tent like your ass was on fire and ruin my bath. Why does everyone ruin my baths, anyway?”

“I did not burst into your tent. I called out to you from the otherside of the privacy screen but you didn’t answer. So, I peeked around to check if you were even here and I found you underwater. And after what you said last night, I was worried that you...What do you mean everyone’s ruining your baths?”

“I told you that I was going to let you help me last night. You shouldn’t have assumed.” I replied, ignoring his question.

The furrow in his silver brows deepened, “That’s right and we’re starting today. I brought you oatmeal again and you’re going to eat every bite. I’m going to watch you too so don’t even think about burying it underground.”

“Do you enjoy watching me eat? Is that like a fetish for you or something?”

“Macha.” He said, tightening his grip on my drying shoulders to the point of pain. “Be serious.”

Scowling, I wiggled in his hold, “Alright, alright. Can you let go of me now? What have I told you about the touching?”

He blinked and quickly pulled his hands away, “Right.”

“Divines. If I bruise, you’re going to be the one explaining that to your father.” I whined, rubbing at my shoulders.

“Don’t be a baby, Cell Bait.”

I snorted, “Whatever, Asshole. Are you going to get out now so I can change or what?”

“Oh, yeah.” He responded, standing up from his crouched position and taking a few steps back.

Raising a brow, I looked him up and down, “Either get in or get out, Commander.”

An odd tightness came over his features before he walked back behind the privacy screen. Cackling at the asshole’s discomfort, I stood up and stepped out of the tub. Serves him right, barging into my tent and practically ripping me from my bath. He’s lucky I like bubbles or else he would’ve seen a lot more than just my upper chest. Chuckling, I patted myself dry with an extra tunic and then shrugged into my undergarments. Slipping into a sleeveless gray tunic, I tugged on a pair of black cotton pants and finger combed my long wet locks.

Giving myself a quick glance in the small mirror, I shrugged and walked barefoot out into the more open area of the tent. Cillian’s eyes traveled over my outfit but said nothing as I took the seat across from him. With a little shove, he sent the wooden bowl full of oatmeal skitting across the table towards me. Scooping it up, I flattened the top before digging up a spoonful and taking an exaggerated bite.

Apparently this didn’t amuse him at all because the first thing out of his mouth was, “Tell me everything.”

“About what?” I muttered, pretending to be interested in the bland oats.

His fingers tapped against the table to get my attention, “Macha, come on. You said you wanted my help.”

“I know, I know.” Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I straightened up in my seat, “Just ask me specific questions. I don’t know where to start.”

“Okay, let’s start with why haven’t you been eating.”

Giving him a look, I sighed out, “Because it hurts my stomach. What they were bringing me before was too rich in flavor after almost a thousand years of eating tasteless food.”

“But you have no problem eating chocolate?”

“It’s the pure unsugared stuff and chocolate is chocolate.”

He shook his head, “What about the food I told them to bring you while I was gone? It was all bland.”

“I’m not used to eating three meals a day, Cillian. T.V. was the only luxury Mab allowed in Slykhelm. She wouldn’t allow her prisoners to go mad before she got the chance to crush their souls.” I replied, devoid of emotion.

“Only eat half of that then. You’ll eat three small bland meals a day with the flavor slowly increasing.” He nodded to himself in conformation before saying, “Now, about the nightmares.”

I took another bite and forced myself not to tense up, “What about them?”

“What are they about?”

“None of your business.” When he only patiently stared back at me, I snapped, “Daisies and rainbows. What the fuck do you think they’re about, Cillian? Torture and deadly situations I got myself out of.”

He folded his impressive arms over his chest, “Tell me about them.”

“No.”

“Then at least tell me about the one from last night.”

Huffing, I slid my eyes back down to the oatmeal, “One of the many times a group of Unseelie tried to jump me.”

“That’s why you freaked out when I woke you?”

“Sure.”

“Macha.”

Tossing my spoon back in the bowl, I met his eyes dead on, “The nightmare switched, alright? Instead of that yellow eyed bitch about to sink a iron nail into my chest, it was you with an iron stake. I was panicking that the dream had changed because I know I killed all four of them. I passed out from the blood loss after but I won.”

“But when you were fighting me, you thought I had yellow eyes?” He questioned, having the decency to at least soften his tone.

Frustrated, I spit, “I don’t know. I don’t know why, okay? I didn’t even realize I was awake. I thought I was still in the rec room, I could feel the chain on my wrists and the concrete flooring.”

“Has that happened to you before?” He asked, his deep baritone drifting even lower.

My first reaction was to say no until I remembered that that wasn’t entirely true, “Yes but it wasn’t as bad. I was awake and I knew it wasn’t real.”

“When?”

“When we were with the Trolls.”

“I remember that. What triggered it?” He questioned, his brows falling lower between his eyes.

Rolling my neck in discomfort, I forced out between a closed jaw, “I don’t...do well...in places that I can’t immediately escape from.”

“I see.”

“Are we done?”

“For now, but you need to sleep more regularly. The lack of sleep is only making your nightmares worse.”

“Thank fuck because this is depressing.” I exhaled, jumping out of my seat. “Let’s go see your father.”

He got to his feet as I passed him,“For what?”

“Why for answers, of course.” I grinned, twirling my way out of the tent.

“Wait, what answers? And you’re not wearing any shoes.”

Ignoring him, I exited the tent and immediately looked at the man guarding the entrance, “Where’s Second Commander Dougal?”

“In his tent, My Queen. With the General, I believe.”

“Perfect. Thank you, Soldier.” I winked before tipping an imaginary hat and traveling away.

The grass bottomed out beneath my feet and in the span of a few seconds was replaced by the soft carpeted floor of Dougal’s tent. Opening my eyes, I cocked my head in confusion at the way everything seemed higher than me. Catching sight of a wide eyed Dougal, I asked, “Did you move everything up higher?”

His short gray dreads swayed as he shook his head.

“Ehem, My Queen?”

Cringing a bit from the breath on my ear, I turned and locked eyes with Erick, “General. Is there a reason you’re practically in my lap?”

Brown eyes narrowed at my tone, “Yes, My Queen. Because you’re in mine.”

“Wha-” Looking down, I started laughing when I realized that I had traveled right into his lap.

“Fahbt Siúcra, maybe you should move before-”

“Do you find your position appropriate, General?”

I jumped slightly at the sudden snap of Cillian’s frosty tone and twisted in Erick’s lap to look up at his cold face. Hard silver eyes were pinned on Erick and the way he spit General made it sound like Erick cleaned out shit buckets for a living. He must really not like being left behind.

“No, Commander.” Erick clipped.

“Then move.”

Popping up onto my feet, I eyed Cillian, “Enough. I’m here to get an answer out of your father, not to watch you rip Erick a new asshole.”

Cold eyes shot in my direction, “What answer?”

“An answer for the question I’m about to ask.” I bristled, not liking his demanding tone.

“And what question is that?” Cillian commanded.

Brows furrowing, I was just about to tell him to go get fucked by an iron spike when Dougal interrupted, “No fighting in my tent. Macha, ask your question.”

Not wanting to waste time, I turned to face him completely, “What’s the third secret?”

Dougal stilled for a moment at my words before his gaze shot to Cillian.

Shaking my head, I leaned over the desk and got in his face, “Nu-uh. Do not look at him, Dougal. Your Queen is asking you a question.”

Gray eyes slid back to mine before he straightened in his seat, “Your right. Erick go get Puck.”

“Why does Puck need to be here?”

“He just does.”

“Father-”

“No. She asked, Son. So I’m going to tell her. It’s about time anyways.”

With growing caution, I stepped back and away from the desk until I could see both men. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long in the tense silence before Erick reappeared with Puck in tow. The golden headed boy shook out his locks and then gazed around the room with a large grin. Striding across the tent, he dropped down into the only free chair by the desk, “What’s up, guys?”

“Read the room, Poppy Stalk.”

Golden eyes gleamed up at me, “I actually like that one, it’s cute.”

“Of course you do.” I sneered in disgust.

A bang against the desk caused everyone to look at Dougal, “Do you want to know what I’ve been keeping from you or not?”

“I need to know, Dougal. I can’t keep doing this half in the dark.” I replied, getting serious for once.

He gave me a short nod before looking around the room.

“Wait, do you all know?” I asked, looking around the room myself. When the others nodded or only stared back in answer like Cillian, I felt anger flare up in my chest. Ryan had been right. “Fucking tell me already.”

Dougal cleared his throat before standing to look me in the eye, “I have always told you that you were born for bigger things than to be a bastard. And I was telling you the truth, Macha.” He paused to take a deep breath, “You are the last living Divine.”

—

The secret is OUT!! People, I repeat the big gigantic secret is OUT!!! Lol, alright alright. So did I do a good job hiding and hinting or did y’all see it coming from a mile away? I know the people who are constantly reading did, lol. I’m the same way.

As always, feel free to do your thing in the comment section! Next chapters in Cillian’s P.O.V.

Smooches, Verbage💋

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