Page 202 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“Do it.”

Turning, I sprinted behind the barricade. Madinia sat on an overturned log, Tibris by her side. Blood dripped from the side of her neck as he worked to close the wound.

“I need to get back,” she said.

“Not until I’m finished. Do I have to tell Prisca?”

Madinia was pale, her hands shaking as she took a couple of sips of water. But she still scowled.

“One minute,” Madinia said.

“Three minutes.” Tibris’s tone was unrelenting. “If this was a hair deeper, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Madinia’s eyes met mine. “What are you doing here?”

I darted past her into the tent, rolling the orb from the pocket of her cloak. I’d instantly known what she’d been carrying with her when she hugged us. And it didn’t surprise me at all that Daharak Rostamir didn’t want the temptation of it near her.

I clutched the blue orb to me as I sprinted back toward the battle.

“Asinia!” Madinia was screaming, running alongside me now. Tibris would be furious with her.

I sliced a glance to my left, but Madinia wouldn’t make it around the soldiers in front of us in time to stop me. All I had to offer her was a single shaky smile.

The weapon required someone pure of heart. I’d killed. Many times.

I wasn’t making it through this alive.

I’d wanted to become infamous. To be a legend. To make a name for myself.

I’d wanted recognition. And if I did this, no one would ever know. It was bitterly ironic.

ButI’dknow. And thousands of people would live. That was a price I was willing to pay.

I’d promised Demos no stupid risks.

I’m sorry.

34

Prisca

Asinia had asked us to wait, but we couldn’t wait much longer. Lorian gave me a look as Regner’s army continued to advance. Soon, we would—

Madinia grabbed my arm, and I jolted. The side of her neck and armor were covered in blood. “We have one chance!” she screamed, shaking me viciously enough that Lorian turned to give her a feral snarl.

“Asinia is going for the mirror,” Madinia said, ignoring him. I pushed away the confusion and disbelief. Asinia had asked me to trust her. She must have some kind of plan.

“Anyone between Asinia and the mirror is dead. Get our people out. Now.”

Lorian must have heard us, because he shouted the order at Marth, who carried it down the line.

This was it. Our one chance. We had to strike now.

I dug into the pouch around my waist for my trowth stone and handed it to her.

Madinia took it, turning away to repeat the order.

And Demos began roaring Asinia’s name. Where was she? Where—

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