Page 199 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Thatfuckingmirror.

Our own lines began foundering.

But now we knew where Regner’s mirror was. Close enough for him to use it to ensure his personal ward remained impenetrable, while allowing his most important generals to protect themselves.

Shouts rang out, rising over the din of battle. And unlike when Conreth’s army had arrived, these were not shouts of jubilation. No, they were shouts of dismay and horror and hopelessness.

Steeling myself, I squinted in the direction of pointed hands and turned heads. Even with my fae senses, it would have been difficult to see exactly who was approaching.

But I knew that deceptively slow, shambling walk.

The hags moved south, close to the sea. Unlike the terrovians, they had no problem with salt water. They moved casually, as if simply enjoying the weather.

Soon, they were in line with the main body of Regner’s army.

Prisca wiggled free from me.

“Fuck,” she said, her voice heavy with dread. She raised her hands, likely about to attempt to buy us just a little time. But I leaned close.

“Trust me, wildcat. This is the distraction we need to get behind the barricade. And Regner won’t be able to help himself. He’ll follow us.” I raised my voice to a roar. “Those stone bitches betrayed us once again!”

The hags’ presence seemed to revitalize Regner’s flagging front lines. The Eprothans attacked with a new fury.

Prisca’s eyes met mine.

“Fall back!” she screamed. Our soldiers cursed, and I caught betrayal on several faces nearby. Betrayal and terror.

Once the order was given, it happened quickly. Just as Regner’s lines had broken, so did ours. And our soldiers ran for the barricade. We’d lost so much ground, they didn’t have far to run. Many of them sprinted for the peninsula, aiming for the tunnel that might take them home.

That was what we wanted. Over half of Regner’s remaining soldiers had fled. Most of our own soldiers had used all of their power and were fighting only with sword and shield.

We needed them gone. Needed nothing between us and Regner’s rear guard.

“You fucking coward!” Zathrian roared at Prisca. And despite our plan, my hand itched with the urge to slice his throat.

Prisca held time for Regner’s remaining men. And Galon, Demos, Madinia, Asinia…all of us screamed forour people torun.

Prisca bought us long enough for our warders to pour their remaining power into our shields as everyone sprinted across the battlefield.

“I won’t follow a queen who calls a retreat at the exact wrong moment,” a soldier spat.

Demos was striding toward me. He reached out with the flat of his hand, smacking the soldier in the back of head. “Go.”

The soldier went.

I grabbed Prisca’s hand, pulling her with me toward the barricade where the others were positioned. And we watched.

There he was. I could see the Eprothan king in the distance behind his lines, surrounded by his generals. And, of course, warded by that mirror.

He thought we were done. He wanted to watch Prisca die. Needed to see it happen himself.

And that would be his downfall.

“Lorian, look!”

I followed her gaze. In the water, the wreckage of Regner’s fleet burned. Hopefully, Rostamir could get some of her pirates here in time to help fight.

I pressed a kiss to Prisca’s cheek. “I’ll be back.”

---