Page 133 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Farther out, the soldiers’ tents were arranged in neat rows, creating a uniformity that spoke of order and control. The pathways between each row were straight and clear.

Conreth would approve.

Orivan led us toward the periphery of the camp— past the blacksmith’s area, where the ring of hammer on anvil filled the air. Through the cook’s section, where smoke wafted from the fires, and alongside the medical tents, where healers bustled to and fro, likely attemptingto save Zathrian’s life.

While Orivan droned on about the facilities, the schedule, and the training, I surveyed the armory and supply tents. They’d been strategically placed for easy access, and guards were stationed outside each of them. Nearby, well-fed horses were led to and from the temporary stables.

I glanced at Galon, who gave me an approving nod. If there were sixty thousand hybrid soldiers in this camp, I would feel confident that we would win this war. But at least the twenty thousand we did have appeared well-trained and disciplined.

Orivan led us to tents that had been set aside for Eadric and Zathrian. They were currently being hastily cleared of their personal items, new linens brought in. Prisca kept her gaze on Orivan.

“The decision to work with Regner has never been popular among the hybrid regiments,” he said. “While your cousin may have had every intention of turning on Regner at the end, he obviously couldn’t inform our people of his planned duplicity. And many of them are old enough to remember that day when his parents ripped down our wards. There will, of course, be grumbling from those who support him as king.” He hesitated. “A display of your power could be exceptionally helpful there.”

Prisca’s hands curled at her sides, but she nodded. The time would come when she would have to tell Orivan about the loss of her power. But both of us had agreed that our grasp on this army would be too unstable to risk such a conversation until we had to.

“For now, I need a healer for my husband,” she said,glancing at my neck. A flash of satisfaction arrowed into my chest at the term.

Orivan nodded. “Done.”

After a moment, he hesitated, opening his mouth, but I was also done.

Done watching the fine trembling beginning in Prisca’s hands. Done watching the way her gaze darted as if it couldn’t quite decide what to land on.

She had played her part perfectly. But she was in shock.

I would step aside in whatever ways Prisca needed as she ruled our people. But when it came to her health, I would make no such concessions.

“Her Majesty needs some time to recover. She will meet with you later.”

Taking Prisca’s hand, I led her into the tent.

ASINIA

“It’s a fake?” Amalra demanded.

Demos went completely, utterly silent. When he held out his hand, Gwynara placed the amulet into it.

“How close of a match is it?” he finally asked.

“It’s perfect. If I couldn’t feel that it has no magic, I would have thought it was the real thing. If Brinlor were fae, he would’ve been able to tell.” She sent him an apologetic look. Brinlor shook his head, staring into thewater as if still hoping Nyrik would surface. Heat seared the backs of my eyes.

“Is it possible itisone of the amulets, but it has been already drained?”

“No,” Gwynara said. “If Regner knew how to completely drain a fae amulet, there would be no war, because all of us would already be dead.”

Some of the color disappeared from Demos’s cheeks. His hand curled into a fist at his side, and he carefully handed the amulet back to Gwynara. I had a feeling he was restraining himself from throwing it back into the water.

“I know of only one person with the ability to replicate something this well,” he said. “And he is a hybrid who has helped us many times before. If Regner has gotten to him, anyone around him is in deadly peril.”

My gaze met his. He was thinking about Finley. I didn’t want to believe it. And I knew it would break Prisca’s heart.

“We need to get out of here,” Brinlor said. “The others will be ready to strike.”

“Are we certain the amulet isn’t hidden somewhere else in here?” I asked. “If we bring down the mine…”

Sound suddenly rattled from the trowth stone in someone’s pack. Gwynara leaped at it.

“I don’t know where the rest of you are,” Yan’s voice echoed through the cave. “But I can only hope you’re still alive. Our spies sent me a pigeon. One of Regner’s carriages was spotted close by, surrounded by guards. Something tells me the amulet is in that carriage.”

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