Page 116 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

I’d longed to pace along the deck, but I knew better than to risk being seen, so I’d hidden away down here— Lorian and Marth keeping me company.

Now that we were approaching my cousin, I was soantsy, my entire body felt as if I were the one with the lightning power and my muscles were barely containing the deadly strikes.

And yet my own power was still nowhere to be seen.

Lorian eyed me. “You want to fight, wildcat?”

Marth snorted.

I got to my feet and pulled my darkened hair back into a braid. My blond curls were too distinctive, so I’d had one of Rekja’s maids help me with them before we left.

Reaching for my dagger, I grinned. Fighting with Lorian would help disperse some of this restless energy. We might not be able to fight on the deck where Galon had insisted on training each day we’d been at sea, but if we pushed this table up against one wall, I could still likely exhaust myself enough that I’d have no room for any other thoughts.

“That’s exactly what I want.”

A knock sounded on the door. I cursed.

“We can wrestle later,” Lorian told me with a predatory grin.

Marth opened the door to reveal Galon. A thin man stood behind him, and Lorian sighed.

“It’s time,” Galon said.

The man followed Galon inside, bowing to me. “Your Majesty.”

“You must be Renit,” I said. He was on the shorter side for one of the fae, thin in stature, but he walked with purpose.

Renit nodded, giving me a shy smile. His hair fell over his eyes, and he brushed it aside. But he straightenedhis shoulders as he turned his attention to Lorian. “Your Highness.”

Lorian shook his head. “No.”

Renit gave him a stubborn look. Lorian ignored it. “What do you need from me?” Lorian stood, his head nearly brushing the ceiling of the cabin. It had been clear from the moment we boarded that this ship was built for human-sized men.

“Shift to your human form. It also helps if you picture Regner in your mind. Use your own focus and power to boost mine.” All timidity had vanished from Renit now that he was focused on his task.

Lorian nodded.

It happened so slowly, it was as if nothing happened at all. And then I noticed Lorian’s cheekbones had flattened. His nose was thicker. His hair gradually lightened. His cheeks turned a ruddy color.

I was suddenly staring at Regner.

He got to his feet, moving toward me.

I skittered away instinctively, my back hitting the wall.

Lorian froze.

“I’m sorry,” I breathed. “Just give me a moment.”

A muscle feathered in his jaw. InRegner’sjaw.

My breaths were coming faster.

Regner’s hand—no.Lorian’shand fisted at his side, as he was barely restraining himself from reaching for me.

Galon grabbed my shoulder. “Pris,” he said gently. “Look at his face.”

I forced my gaze up, meeting Lorian’s eyes. They gleamed at me, emerald green and filled with concern and frustration.

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