Page 213 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

He stared at me, clearly dazed, and I took pity on him. “You should rest too.”

With a nod, he disappeared into his tent.

I turned to look for Lorian, nodding to Galon as he walked past. We’d only been separated for a few minutes, but after today, I wanted him by my side.

But…

Zathrian sat at the edge of camp, ignored by everyone. Our eyes met, and he got to his feet, walking toward me.

Galon changed his direction, stalking our way.

I sighed. “He’s not going to hurt me.”

“You’re tired. We’re all fucking tired,” Galon muttered. “He should be chained up somewhere.”

Zathrian ignored him, which was impressive given how much threat Galon exuded.

“Jorvik,” Zathrian said to me. “He’s dead, isn’t he?”

I glanced at Galon. “Go away.”

He narrowed his eyes, clearly having some internaldeliberation. With a low oath, he turned and moved back toward one of the fires.

I turned my attention back to Zathrian. “Yes,” I said. “Daharak told me the ship was struck by one of Regner’s and didn’t have a chance.”

Grief darkened his eyes. Clearly, Jorvik had been important to him in some way. “I’m sorry.”

“It was his idea to get that close to you.” Zathrian’s voice was low. “I told him it was stupid, but he thought it might rattle you enough to make you make a mistake. Instead, it just made you more determined. Didn’t it?”

“Yes.”

We were quiet for a moment, and the sounds of the waves in the distance made my eyes heavy-lidded.

“I’ve been wondering something,” I murmured.

“So have I. I’ll answer your question, if you answer mine.”

“Deal.”

“Eadric,” I said. “When he tortured us, it seemed… personal. Like he hated me.”

“He did. His father was in love with your mother. When she met your father, it was clear she was never going to be able to love Eadric’s father. Of course, Eadric was born years later, but his father’s bitterness remained. He became friends with my father.”

I could imagine both boys learning to hate my family as they grew up. It didn’t excuse anything they had done, but…it still hurt to imagine the people they might have been without that hate.

“Thank you for telling me.”

Zathrian just nodded. And his gaze slid in thedirection of the water, as if he couldn’t quite bear to look at me when he asked his question.

“I heard you saw our grandmother when you turned back time.”

There was nothing malicious in his question. No, he just sounded…tired.

“I did.”

He kept his gaze fixed on the darkness, his voice carefully neutral. “Do you… Do you think perhaps one day she could be proud of me? Even after everything I’ve done?”

My eyes burned. “I heard her voice that day when we fought in your arena. She was screaming, completely enraged. She didn’t want you dead. Likely because she knew you would use your power to help us. She could see good in you, Zathrian. I don’t know if that means anything to you…”

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