Page 207 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

A strange expression came over my son’s face. An expression that looked almost like…resignation.

My gut tightened. Jamic hadn’t expected to live through the war. All he’d wanted was for Regner’s rule to end.

A man walked out from the forest, drawing my attention. Even the patriarchs went silent.

“Pelysian?”

Lightness swept through my body. This man was little more than his mother’s puppet. But if he was here, it was because he had a plan. It wasn’t over.

Rothnic laughed. “I’ve wanted to do this for years,” he hissed. He lifted one hand.

My eyes met Pelysian’s.

And realization swept through me.

He wasn’t here to help me rule. He was here to watch me die.

“Jamic, run!” My voice was a desperate shriek. I just had to buy him a little time. Just enough time to disappear into the forest. Leaping toward him, I caught sight of wide green eyes already filling with tears.

He didn’t need to cry. I would—

Pain. So much pain. Searing straight through my back and into my gut.

I’d expected magic to slam into me.

It was a bolt from a crossbow instead. And from the acid that swept through my body, that bolt was poisoned.

I hit the ground, agony blazing through every inch ofme. I screamed, writhing.

Someone laughed.

The laughter abruptly cut off, sending my heart plummeting down into my stomach.

Time had frozen. The hybrid heir had arrived.

My gaze found Jamic’s. “Take…grimoire.”

Pelysian stepped in front of me, breaking my line of sight.

“Help us,” I mouthed.

He simply shook his head. “Nelia knew you needed to die here. She gave her life to ensure it would happen. To ensure you would help the others find the amulet and kill the king.”

Nelia…

The pain was blinding now. A glimmer of pity flickered in Pelysian’s eyes.

No. It…it wasn’t fair. I’d just needed moretime.

“Why?” I gasped out.

“You would never stop. You have been twisted by Regner’s evil. And if you lived, you would have twisted your son. Our people would suffer for it. And I would never allow that to happen.”

My eyes burned. My son had endured everything Regner had put him through and somehow remainedgood.But that goodness was a kind of weakness. And he would be preyed on.

“Protect him.”

“I will.” Pelysian’s expression tightened. “If only you’d chosen differently. I had…hopes for you. For us.” His expression hardened. “In times of war, sacrifices must be made. Goodbye, Your Majesty.”

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