Page 169 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

The sighting mechanism had been refined, making it easier to align my shots. I could already tell that it would improve my long-distance accuracy.

I released the bolt. The arrow cut through the air with minimal deviation, its flight almost impervious to the light breeze I’d almost compensated for.

I hadn’t needed to compensate.

Thunk.

Holy gods. This crossbow was better than sex.

Well, better than sex with anyone but Demos.

I laughed to myself as I reached back into the quiver slung over my shoulder for my next arrow. I was completely, entirely swept up in the thought of spending the rest of my life with the autocratic, overprotective hybrid prince. My best friend’s brother.

At least I knew Prisca would be delighted.

Thunk.

Each arrow flew true, the crossbow’s superior construction minimizing the usual variables that affected my accuracy—even when I was allowing my power to trickle down from the deep lake within me. Its lighter weight meant my arms and shoulders wouldn’t be as strained during battle, and the smoother mechanism would reduce the wear on my fingers.

The target blurred in front of me and my eyes stung. It still rocked me—that even when he’d been impossible to talk to, Demos had arranged for this weapon to be created just for me. It was a fae weapon—I could already tell. And to me, it was priceless.

Striding to the wood, I plucked the arrows free, marveling at them as I tucked them away. I’d already lingered too long, but it would be worth it later today, when I instinctively knew the capabilities of this crossbow.

Making my way back to everyone else, I took in the group of hybrids gathered at the edge of the camp. They huddled together, mothers carrying children in their arms, the elderly helped by those who were too young to fight. Tibris stood in front of them, speaking slowly and carefully, Herne by his side. Tibris must have said something amusing, because several people laughed, andsome of the tension seemed to disappear.

And then Telean crossed the camp, her canvas bag slung over her shoulder. She was murmuring to a dark-haired woman with the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. Ameri. That was her name. We’d only met a couple of times before, but I’d never seen such an intense expression on her face.

With a nod, Telean said her goodbyes to Ameri, who hurried away. Telean went to Tibris first. His face grew grave, and he nodded at whatever she said. When he gestured at me, she turned.

I met her halfway.

“You’ll keep Demos safe.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes,” I vowed. “I’ll keep him safe.”

“Telean.” Demos’s voice was thick with warning, but I heard the grief beneath it.

We both turned. He planted his hands on his hips, but Telean waved her hand through the air. “You’ll keep each other safe,” she amended. “Now come and give me a kiss.”

A strange disquiet filled me as I watched him lean down and wrap her in his arms. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she clutched him to her with everything she had.

Someone called out, and she untangled herself from him. “Kill Regner,” she ordered.

“We will.”

With a last glance at me, she turned and joined the group gathered at the edge of camp. Moments later, they began moving out of the camp toward the pass, a group of hybrid soldiers traveling with them.

Several voices were calling out to one another tomy right. As I watched, a large group of soldiers hauled a massive tree trunk out of the forest and into the clearing. They set it down with a thud, immediately jumping out of the way for the next tree. And the next.

I jumped into position to help them roll one of the larger trunks across the camp. That tree became the base for the wall on the other side.

We worked for hours. The tree trunks formed a crude but effective wall. The natural curve of the wood meant that the trees nestled somewhat awkwardly against each other, leaving gaps that were both a vulnerability and a vantage point. I began snapping off branches, weaving them into the gaps to create a dense mesh of wood and leaves.

While we worked, I was conscious of Demos sharpening weapons, pausing to give a thoughtful word to a group of soldiers, working with Herne to plan our defense.

And with every minute that passed, my hands shook and my mouth grew even drier, until I found myself continually gulping at my waterskin.

It was still hours before sunset when one of the scouts arrived, his breath coming in sharp pants, his eyes wide.

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