Page 119 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“Yes.”

“So why would he believe Regner when he said he wouldn’t strike at Quorith if he remained neutral?”

Rythos snorted. “The same reason Eryndan believed him when Regner said the human kings would rule together. They trust him because they love power, and they can’t imagine losing it. And…they want to keep their people safe.”

I shivered as we approached the island. Quorith’s wards were stronger than any other, built with a kind of magic that made the skin on my arms prickle. Rythos stood, murmured a single word in a language I’d never heard, and the ward disappeared as if it had never been there at all, shimmering back into place once we had passed.

I hadn’t visited when the others had stolen a ship to take Prisca to the hybrid kingdom, and I swept my gaze greedily over everything I could see as Rythos docked our boat. The island unfolded before me like a promise of untold stories and uncharted paths. The lush greenery and vibrant flowers dotting the landscape weren’t just splashes of color but markers of a culture steeped in beauty and a love for the wild. Laughter spilled out of the taverns across from the dock, people speaking in languages I didn’t understand but longed to learn. And the air…the air was rich with the scents of freedom—wild flowers, exotic spices, the sea…the very essence of a life where I could slip into place without anyone knowing who I was.

Rythos held out his hand, and I realized he’d already stepped onto the dock. I allowed him to help me out of the boat, studying the grandeur of a distant building ashe stepped away to talk to someone. It was undoubtedly an architectural marvel, with its towers and bridges, the marble and stone weaving together to create something strange and unique.

“I’ve never seen that expression on your face before,” Rythos said.

I instantly controlled my features. “What expression?”

He flashed his teeth in a brief smile. “Something like awe. Or wonder.”

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to tear my gaze away from a group of women dancing in the street. “When all this is over, I’m leaving this continent. I want the life that was denied to me for so long. This island…it soothes some part of me. It reminds me that there’s more out there for me. And that one day, I’ll find it.”

The corner of Rythos’s mouth tipped up. “I didn’t want to return here,” he said. “It holds mostly bad memories for me. So thank you for allowing me to see it through your eyes.”

I nodded, and he took a deep breath, his gaze lingering on the white building in the distance.

“Let’s get this done.”

No one attempted to stop us as we made our way along the bustling streets. Perhaps because everyone seemed to know who Rythos was—people either waved and called out to him or gave him narrow-eyed stares, whispering to those next to him.

By the time we approached the white building I’d admired from the dock, I was tired of the eyes on us. Rythos appeared completely at ease, although in his fae form with his expression blank, it was almost like lookingat a different man entirely.

I, too, had slipped on my court mask, and we strolled through the courtyard as if this were just another day.

No one greeted us at the door, although the guards bowed low at his appearance. Rythos wandered, ignoring the fact that the main hall was almost deserted. Like everything else I’d seen here so far, it had been designed with care—wide windows allowing sunlight to pool on the marble floors, recessed nooks with benches for seating, finely crafted rugs that were likely much, much older than I was. Gesturing for me to follow him, Rythos climbed the long staircase to our left.

I recognized Verdion’s voice the moment I heard it. His low baritone set my teeth on edge. Rythos didn’t hesitate at the closed door, simply pushed it open and stepped inside. Lifting my head, I pasted a cool smile on my face and followed him in.

Verdion glanced up from where he was seated at the head of a long, oval table. He didn’t look at all surprised to see his son, but his eyes fired with wrath at the interruption.

“How dare you?”

Rythos ignored him, scanning the room. I counted twelve other Arslan men and women, all of them staring at Rythos. Clearly, we were interrupting a council meeting. How convenient for us.

“Out,” Verdion snarled.

“I don’t think so.” Rythos crossed his arms. “Where is Brevan?”

“Your brother is away. He will return later today.”

“And was he away for the summit as well?” Rythoslifted one eyebrow and turned to the council. “Has my father told you all about the deal he made with the human king before this war even began? That Regner would choose not to attack this island as long as wecooperated?”

A woman with long, dark braids murmured something to the man at her side, her eyes wide. Meanwhile, Verdion’s lips pulled back from his teeth. “The council knows everything there is to know.”

“And did they know that Regner has never kept his word to his allies—not once—and thanks to our wards, he believes we attacked him during the battle for the barrier?”

“I heard what happened with those wards,” Verdion said quietly. “I know that hybrid bitch interfered.”

“That hybrid bitch is already twice the ruler you’ll ever be,” I snapped.

Rythos nodded his agreement. “Not to mention, the ward you think you can hide behind? Regner knows how to shift it. At least long enough to attack all of us.”

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