Karma jerked. Had the female just called her soldiers “babies”? Her eyes widened. “You truly must be the queen.” Yes, she had doubted it for a few moments, just because of the woman’s clothing and casual attitude. “Nobody else would dare say such a thing.” Even so, the king would most certainly not appreciate such talk. But he wasn’t there, was he?
Emma curved her lips. “Such a thing? You mean calling them babies?”
Karma slowly nodded.
Emma snorted. Very unqueenlike. “If they don’t want to be called babies, then they shouldn’t act like such dorky wimps. I mean, seriously. They have you thinking I’m a wild woman with syringes. You’re actually afraid to be in here. Props, by the way. You totally look calm and in control. It’s impressive.”
Karma couldn’t find a response. None of this was making sense. “I have heard the legends about you.”
Emma perked up. “There are legends about me? Like what?”
“That you like to conduct…experiments.” Karma’s stomach cramped.
Emma’s brow smoothed out. “I do. I’m always experimenting. Dage says I’m obsessed, but he’s just as busy, so pot and kettle, you know?”
The woman was talking in riddles. So much for the legends being false. Mayhap the female was insane, which would explain her cheerful attitude while discussing torture. Karma pressed a hand to her forehead.
“Oh. Benny said you were hit in the head. Do you have a headache?” Emma stood, her face softening.
Before Karma could answer, the door opened, and a tall teenager hurried inside. He looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, and he had huge hands, but he was gangly. Maybe he was younger than that. His black hair was cut short but still curled over his ears and managed to spike up in several areas, and his eyes were an intense blue.
“Mom,” he burst out, handing her a notebook. “I think I solved the Terevosky Equation. What do you think?”
Emma took the notebook. “Hunter? Manners. Karma, this is my son Hunter, who should be in bed. Hunter, this is Karma.”
Hunter smiled but didn’t approach. “Oh. Hi. Nice to meet you.”
Emma manacled the kid around the neck and yanked him close for a hug. She had to lean up to do it, but he let her move him. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
He frowned. “Because I was solving the Terevosky Equation.”
Emma smiled. “You’re the smartest fourteen-year-old on the planet, buddy. But even you need sleep.”
“Good point.” The door opened, and the king stood in the entryway. “You’re done tonight, love. Let’s get some sleep.”
Emma shot him a look. “Fine.” She turned and smiled at Karma. “We can pick up again tomorrow, if you want. Benny will show you to your rooms.”
Benny poked his head in, pushing the king out of the way. His gaze narrowed, and then his body relaxed visibly as he caught sight of her. He grinned and motioned her toward him. “Hey, darlin’. Looks like you survived just fine. Let’s get you away from the needles.”
“For now,” Hunter muttered, earning a look from his mother.
All of these people were crazy.
Chapter Six
Benny led the way to the rooms he usually occupied when he visited the Realm, opening the door of the suite and allowing Karma to precede him inside. “I think there should be clothing for you in the master bedroom, should you want to shower and change.” He followed her, letting the door shut. “I hope this suite is all right with you.” He looked at the spacious living area with the stone fireplace and thought it was nice.
She partially turned, her long skirt and ruffled blouse making her look like a lady from years gone by. Her hair was still in the bun, and her face pale; the topaz of her eyes glowed. He’d love to see her in a bikini at the beach, with all of that smooth skin on display. The female was lovely—the very definition of the word. “I don’t understand,” she said.
He frowned, running through what he’d said to her. It all seemed to make sense to him. A knock sounded on the door, and he pivoted, putting himself between her and any threat. “What?” He pulled it open.
Max stood on the other side and shoved a tray piled high with dishes toward him. “Emma was worried you two hadn’t eaten and sent this. Apparently she remembers last time you were here, when you ate all the cookies and I almost had to kill you.” With a smart-assed grin, the soldier turned and strode away.
Ha. It’d be a good fight. Benny turned and carried the tray to the coffee table in front of the fireplace. “Come eat, Karma.” He wasn’t doing a very good job of caring for her. The female probably hadn’t eaten in way too long. For that matter, neither had he.
She kept him in her sights as she crossed around the table and took the leather chair on the other side of the sofa.
Perhaps she needed some space after spending time in the lab. He could understand. So instead of sitting on the sofa closer to her, he took the opposite chair and lifted the coverings off the plates to reveal baked chicken, potatoes, green beans, and sourdough bread. The final plate held all sorts of different cookies. He smiled. “The peanut butter are the best, but the chocolate chip ones aren’t bad.”
She folded her hands in her lap, watching him.
The female had the oddest way about her. He handed her a plate. “You need to eat.”
She set the plate on her lap and reached for a napkin. Utensils fell out as she opened it, and she caught them.
He lifted the bottle of wine and whistled. “The queen sent the good stuff. She must like you.” He poured two very generous glasses and nudged one toward the female.
“I’m still alive,” Karma agreed, taking a bite of the chicken.
Benny chuckled. “I can see that.” He set his plate on his lap and took a deep drink of the wine. “It’s good. Have some.”
She took a sip, and color finally brushed across her high cheekbones. “It is good.”
“It’s a Jadot Le Montrachet, sweetheart. It had better be good.” He took another bite of chicken. “How did it go with Emma?”
Karma stiffened. “I do not know what you expect me to say.”
He paused with a forkful of green beans halfway to his mouth. “I expect you to say the truth.”
“Oh.” Her body seemed to relax, and she ate more of the chicken, chewing thoughtfully. “The queen was much different from what I expected. She just wanted to talk tonight. I’m sure the torture will start tomorrow.”
He barked out a laugh. “The torture. Exactly. You have no idea.” He munched happily on his chicken, pausing to look up at her eyes. Pain flashed in them for the briefest of seconds, and then she looked down. “Karma?”