Page 14 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“Telean?” I gasped, sitting up.

Lorian gently pushed me back down. “She’s fine. One of Daharak’s people kept her safe.”

I collapsed back against the pillows, exhausted from my sudden movement. I attempted to ignore the panic that fluttered inside my chest. I wouldn’t be like this for long. I’d regain my strength. And my power.

A knock sounded on the door, and Lorian gave me arueful smile. “Clearly, people are learning you’re awake. Enter,” he said, and the door swung open, revealing Rythos, Galon, Marth, and Telean.

All of them were alive and healthy. My cheeks ached from my grin.

They crowded into the small cabin, Rythos sitting on the end of my bed. “You scared us, darlin’.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

Lorian nudged me until I began to eat, while everyone seemed to talk at once.

“Regner fled,” Rythos smirked. “With Eryndan dead and the barrier down, he obviously decided the gods weren’t on his side that day.”

“Biding his time,” Marth muttered.

Galon raised his eyebrow at him but nodded. “He’ll be regrouping.”

I glanced at Telean. She hadn’t said a word but was watching me silently. Her gaze dropped to the hourglass lying against my chest, and she studied it for a long moment before her eyes finally met mine. A chill rippled through me.

“Since the moment I was pulled out of that water, I’ve had a feeling ofwrongness,” she said. “As if the world has shifted. As if I’ve forgotten something of utmost import.”

“Ask me,” I said, my heart sinking.

“I can see from the look on your face that I don’t need to. You used your power in theoneway that is forbidden.For your own gain. You risked all of us. You spat in the face of the gods. And you almost died.”

My aunt shook her head, and I hunched my shoulders. Telean was the closest thing I had to a mother. I’d knownshe’d be disappointed, but seeing her disgust… It hurt more than I could have imagined.

But everyone in this room deserved to know what would happen. Because any consequences I faced would likely affect them too.

“Yes. Lorian died, and I turned back time.”

No one spoke. Galon’s jaw was tight. Marth’s skin was draining of color. Rythos was staring at Lorian with horror in his eyes.

Telean flicked Lorian a single blistering glance, as if he had been the one to do this. “Then that was the will of the gods.”

Fury rattled my bones. “Fuck the gods,” I snapped.

Telean’s eyes went wide, and I kept speaking, unable to stop. “What have the gods done for our people? How have they helped us? All they’ve given us is suffering. I won’t apologize for saving my mate.”

She took a step back from my bed, and her gaze cut through my chest. It was as if she could no longer recognize me. “I expected better of you. Your mother and grandmother would be ashamed.”

I opened my mouth to tell her I’d spoken to them, but Lorian was already getting to his feet, expression flat.

“Leave,” he said.

I wanted to argue, but Galon shook his head at me, flicking his eyes toward Lorian. Tiny sparks were darting across his skin.

Turning my attention back to Telean, I stared at her with no idea what to say. Her eyes softened, but she clenched her jaw, making her way out of the room.

“She’s right to be ashamed,” I said into the silence.“And disgusted. She warned me over and over that I could never use my power that way. I did it anyway.” I met Lorian’s eyes. He watched me carefully, as if bracing for a blow. “And I’d do it again.”

“Of course you would,” Galon said. Lorian continued watching me, and his eyes had turned tender.

“Your aunt will forgive you.”

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