Page 180 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“Two-thirds of the hybrids you sent with Vicer. They died protecting our most vulnerable.”

Heat seared the backs of my eyes. “We sent sixteen hybrids ahead of us. Some of our most powerful people.”

“They were in one of Regner’s ships?”

“Yes.”

“Something went wrong. We watched as Regner killed them.”

I closed my eyes. Orivan had been convinced that the hybrids were some of the best shielders in our army. But Regner had prepared for them.

“Pris?” Demos’s voice was soft.

I opened my eyes. This was not the time to fall apart. That would come later.

He pressed something cool into my hand and I glanced down. The amulet. My throat tightened. “Thank you.”

“I couldn’t have done it without Asinia.” He glanced over my shoulder, and I pivoted.

Asinia, Tibris, and Vicer strode through the crowd, picking their way through tents and a few fires already burning. Behind them, I caught a glimpse of a man who must be Herne.

He walked with the stride of someone who was used to giving orders. Our eyes met, and he sliced a single glance at Tibris.

In that glance, I saw a kind of bemused affection. Like Herne wasn’t sure exactly how he’d ended up here, but he’d stay as long as Tibris was by his side.

They reached me, and as I hugged Asinia and Tibris, the heavy stone I’d been carrying in my gut disappeared. Tibris stepped back. “Pris, this is Herne.”

Herne gave me a steady look. And he bowed his head. “Majesty.”

“Call me Prisca. Thank you for keeping my brother safe.”

Humor flickered in Herne’s eyes, and next to him, Tibris’s posture visibly relaxed.

“You brought your rebels,” I said.

“I did. You’ve given us all something to believe in.”

“Your Majesty?” a gruff voice said. I turned.

“Dashiel?”

He grinned at me. I barely recognized him from his time in Regner’s dungeon. I’d promised him vengeance for his brother’s death. And now he was taking it. And next to him…

“Margie!” It had been too long since I’d seen the woman who considered Vicer her adopted son. She patted my back when I hugged her.

“It’s good to see you. Let me know when you need something to eat.”

Demos let out a low curse, and I turned. He was staring down at the ground below us, where a few of our soldiers had ordered Zathrian and Kaliera off their horses.

“You didn’t kill Zathrian?”

I delicately cleared my throat. “I felt his arrest would have more impact.”

Demos rolled his eyes.

I ignored that. “Where’s Telean?”

“We evacuated her from the hybrid camp this morning. She should currently be safe in one of the caves—if she actually followed orders for once.”

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