Page 8 of Queens

My mind grows fuzzy, and I groan as I slump sideways.

David catches my head, preventing it from slamming against the couch’s armrest, before gently guiding it onto the cushion.

He winces. “I think I gave you too much.”

No fucking shit.

—————

My head is throbbing. I’ve never had a headache, not like this. It’s a human trait, one I’mmostlyimmune to. I use my hand to block the morning sunlight from hitting my eyes. What time is it? If the sun is out, it means I’m late for work.

David is sitting at my desk. He’s facing me, carefully watching my every move. Beside him is Valeria. She’s staring at me with the intensity only a fate can manage.

I attempt to sit up, but my head is too heavy and my limbs are too sore. I don’t have the energy to spare. I blink up at my siblings instead, hoping they’ve somehow learned to read minds and can hear all the nasty things I’m thinking about them.

I’m imagining David’s head on a pike, and I’m imagining Valeria tied up and tossed into one of Wrath’s famous lava pits.

“You’ve been asleep for a little over three hours,” Valeria says. “I told Dad you’re busy helping me with a private matter this morning.”

I’m not sure which of our fathers she’s referring to, but it honestly doesn’t matter. When one knows, they all know.

Mom’s the best at keeping secrets. Silas is the second most capable, followed by Aziel and then Gray. My incubus father can’t keep his mouth shut if his life depends on it. It’s how I keep tabs on my siblings.

I cuddle up to Gray—invite him somewhere private for special father-daughter bonding time. It makes him so happy, and he spills the family drama within minutes. He knows what he’s doing, too, but he’ll do anything to spend time with hischildren. He’s desperate, and I’m not above manipulating that trait of his.

The fact that I genuinely enjoy spending time with him is a bonus.

“How are you feeling?”

I can always count on David to ask the stupid questions.

It takes me several minutes to find my voice. “I feel like shit. Obviously.”

Valeria beams. “That’s good!”

I’m not sure I’d agree with that. In fact, I strongly disagree.

I focus on my arms, willing them to move so I can push up into a sitting position. It takes several tries, and I have to lock my elbows so they don’t give out as I apply my weight to them. I’ve never felt this weak, and I wince as my shoulders burn and arms shake with the effort of sitting up.

Is this what it feels like to be a human? To have no power funneling through my veins? It’s shit, and I can’t fathom how Mom manages to survive each day. This explains all her huffing and puffing.

It takes a few minutes to get into what could be roughly considered a sitting position. I’m slouched and panting, but I’m upright. I’ll take what I can get.

“Who took my shoes off?”

“Me.” David points to himself. “You’re welcome.”

I’m not going to thank him.

I attempt to stand, but I’m unsuccessful. I try again, and something about my shaking arms and pained grunts must tug at the heartstrings of my siblings as they rush forward to help. David wraps an arm around my waist, and Valeria stands nearby with her arms outstretched as if to catch me.

David holds me steady as I adjust to the feeling of standing. I’ve never felt my weight before. My legs never registered that they were holding up my body, but they sure as hell do now.

Have I always been this heavy?

“There you go,” David says. “Let’s try to take a few steps.”

He’s trying to be encouraging, and he’s lucky I’m too tired to snap at him for it. Instead, I place a hand on his shoulder and let him guide me around the room like a show puppy.