Page 211 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Lorian flinched.

And my heart cleaved open.

His eyes met mine, and his face was all I could see.

“Which one?” The words were a hoarse rasp.

“Telean. I’m so sorry, Prisca. She was the reason Regner’s generals were dying from poison. She snuck into their camp with Ameri.”

“You saw her.”

“Yes. She left something for you in Tibris’s healer’s bag.”

My entire body had gone ice-cold. “Demos.”

“I’ll find him.”

Pulling away from Lorian, I made my way up the hill.

“Prisca.”

I wrapped my arms around Tibris and rocked. And then I pulled away.

“I need your healer’s bag.”

With a confused frown, he handed it over.

The parchment had been folded carefully and tucked into one of the leather pockets.

Grief sliced at me with poisonous claws, until it felt as if I was the one who was withering and dying. Lorian stepped inside the tent, Demos behind him.

My brother’s face was white.

And as our eyes met, he seemed to realize it was true. Dropping to the healer’s cot, he buried his head in his hands.

Tibris stared at us. And then he closed his eyes. “Telean.”

My hand shook as I handed the letter to Lorian.

“Will you…”

“Anything, wildcat.”

He sat beside me. And then he read.

Nelayra and Demos,

If you’re reading this, then everything has gone according to my plan.

Getting to know you both was a gift I had never imagined I could have. And the close bond you have formed is everything your mother could have wanted.

Nelayra,

I wasn’t lying on the day of your wedding. I could understand exactly why you chose to use your power in such a dangerous way. Why, in the heat of the moment, when you watched the love of your life die in front of you, you defied the laws of the gods—even knowing there would be repercussions. I was furious. But I don’t blame you. As we discussed, I can see exactly why you made the choice you did.

A love like yours and Lorian’s is rare. You have every right to cling to it with everything in you.

When you told me you saw your mother and grandmother that day—and what they said to you—my decision came to me instantly.

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