Page 107 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Lorian smiled at me. It was a devastating, heartbreaking smile. And yet there was a touch of joy in it. “If I am to be haunted by the people I have killed, so be it. But I didn’t kill Cavis. And seeing him on my wedding day…hearinghim…it was a gift, Prisca.”

My throat swelled. “What did he say?” I whispered.

“He said you looked beautiful. And that I had better treat you well.”

My eyes filled, and he kissed the tear that rolled down my cheek.

THE QUEEN

They’d celebrated today. Awedding.

I’d caught some of it from my window. Had even heard the guards murmuring, mentioning the fae prince had ensured they each received a plate of food from the wedding feast.

Myfood had been the same chicken and root vegetables as yesterday.

The door opened, and I whirled.

“Mother.” Jamic smiled, and it was wide and familiar. There was no sign of his suffering on his face or in his eyes. But it would be there, burrowed deep within him. And he would carry it always.

The guards closed the door behind him, and I opened my arms. He’d grown so tall, and he strode to me in just a few steps, patting my back.

Finally, I was touching my son. I could feel him, warm and alive. No longer was he suffering each day while I paced my chambers, powerless to save him.

“Where were you?” I asked.

“In the fae lands. Learning how to wield my power properly.”

My mouth wanted to twist, and I forced my expression into neutrality. Of course the fae would attempt to use Jamic for their own gain.

“Have they treated you well? Are they giving you enough food?”

Jamic’s expression turned puzzled. “Of course.”

“And your power.” I lowered my voice. “Do you retain everything Regner gave you?”

He stiffened. “You mean everything he forced upon me? It was not a gift, Mother.”

My cheeks heated. “Of course not. No one knows that more than I. You were nothing more than a vessel. One he would have killed when it suited him. But my question remains. Do you still have that power?”

His gaze searched my face, but he gave a single, sharp nod.

My body suddenly felt lighter than air, and my smile felt foreign—too wide for my face. “Good. When all this is over, we will rule Eprotha together.”

Jamic stared at me. And for a moment, I had a flash of the tiny boy he had been on that day when I had hissed at him that I was not his mother. It was a look almost like… betrayal.

I cupped his face. “We will undo all of Regner’s evil,” I promised. “Our people will thrive.”

Jamic still didn’t speak. What had happened to my son? Had Regner’s evil caused so much damage to his mind that he now trusted no one? Or had that hybrid bitch turned him against me?

I hadn’t seen him for too long. He had grown into a man. And he had forgotten that I was the one who had ensured he would do so.

My mind raced. It wasn’t too late. I could turn him back to me once more. But it would take time and a soft hand.

“I’m sorry,” I sat down on the nearest sofa, patting thespace next to me. “You probably don’t want to talk about such things. Why don’t you tell me about the fae lands? I’ve always wanted to visit.”

The tension left his face, and he walked over to me, the hint of a smile softening his features.

LORIAN

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