Page 21 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“I know what you’re doing.”

“And what would that be?”

“Using the hybrid heir’s propaganda to convince my people their lives are at risk. We have a good life here. It’s a difficult life, but an honest one. And you’re determined to ruin that for your own selfish needs.” Her voice shook with fury. Clearly, that “propaganda” was having more of an impact than she would like.

I gave her a dismissive look. “Our own selfish needs? We’re attempting to save lives.”

She sneered at me. “Women like you always enjoy bending over for a crown. But my people aren’t desperate for yourqueen’sapproval.”

Slowly, I got to my feet. “I lived beneath the shadow of a power-obsessed dictator. Tell yourself whatever you need to feel good. But I see the truth. You would rather everyone died here than found safety somewhere else,because it would prove just how unimportant you are.”

Her eyes flashed, and she took a step closer.

“You will leave,” she breathed. “You are not and have never been welcome here.” She turned to Vicer. “And your invitation is also rescinded.”

And that was it. I was tired of tiptoeing around this woman. Giving her my coldest court smile, I opened my mouth. “You—”

The camp bells began to ring, and the color slowly drained from Stillcrest’s face. A young boy ran toward us. I’d spoken to his mother yesterday. His name was… Balin. And he had the power of enhanced hearing.

Stillcrest whirled to face him.

“Hooves.” He pointed at his ears. “I can hear them. Hundreds of them. Coming from the southeast.”

4

Madinia

I whirled, grabbing Stillcrest by her arms. “What’s your plan?”

Her skin was so pale, it was as if she was a corpse. Useless. I shook her until her head bobbled loosely on her neck.

“Madinia,” Vicer snapped.

“She has to have an escape plan. How do we protect these people?”

“Bells,” Stillcrest croaked. “When the bells ring, our men surround the village.”

“How many men, Stillcrest?”

“Two hundred.”

Vicer and I stared at her silently. I’d known she was unprepared, but two hundred men?

“And then what?” I asked.

Her mouth trembled. “There’s a pass through the Normathe Mountains. But it’s two days away on foot.”

And none of these people were prepared to cross through a mountain pass with no warning and no supplies.

I thrust her away, disgusted. “You’ve signed our death warrants.”

Vicer stared at me, and I saw the moment he understood just how many lives were going to be lost. His gray eyes turned bleak.“The children,” he said. “You’ve got to get the children out, Madinia.”

“I have an attack power. They need me on the front where I can do the most damage.”

“No, listen to me,” he ground out when I opened my mouth. “You need to round up as many mothers and children as you can. You’re clever and powerful, and you’re their best chance. Any person who can swing a sword will buy them time––Stillcrest, me…anyone. Do you know where the first caches are?”

I nodded. There were several within a roughly equal distance of the camp. It meant if people were fleeing in groups, they could take different routes, and if one group was attacked, there was still a chance some of them would survive. Bile clawed up my throat.

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