Page 216 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Conreth let out a choked laugh and winced, holding a hand to his chest.

“I’ll summon a healer.”

“No, Lorian, wait.” He attempted to sit up, grimaced, and relaxed once more, sweat beading on his brow. “This war has been the worst thing either of us has lived through—since our parents died,” he said. “And yet, I can’t find it in me to regret it. Some part of me is almost thankful for it. Not because of the death or despair, but because I was finally forced to see you. To see us. Watching the way you are with Galon and the role he plays in your life—the role that should have been mine— it made me realize all we have lost.”

“Conreth—”

He held up his hand. “I’m truly sorry, Lorian.”

“You’ve already apologized.”

“Not properly. I’m sorry I became so consumed with what it meant to wear the crown, and I forgot about what it meant to be your brother.”

I hadn’t wanted to do this. Hadn’t wanted to have this conversation. Hadn’t even thought I would need it.And yet… The man in that bed wasn’t a ruthless king. He was the man who’d saved Prisca’s life. The same man who’d brought me into his chambers and read to me to keep my nightmares at bay all those years ago.

“I forgive you,” I said roughly.

Ice-blue eyes studied my face, as if searching for the lie in my words. But I did forgive him. I’d forgiven him the moment he’d saved the love of my life, prepared to lose his own.

“Emara is here,” I said, and his eyes lit up. “She stepped away when I forced her to get some fresh air. She’ll be very unimpressed that you woke to the sound of my voice and not her own.”

Another choked laugh. “Go find my wife.”

Emara was too frantic to be unimpressed. She rushed past me, darting into the room, and as the door slid closed, I heard her burst into tears.

He’d gone to war without her, leaving her to run their kingdom. And then he’d almost died.

I shook my head. Emara was going to make him very, very sorry.

Now, where was my wildcat?

The castle had been kept in relatively good condition, with a full wing for healers to use their power for anyone in the city who needed it.

While the elders had ensured basic upkeep was completed, the castle was several centuries out of date, with much of the furniture and drapery needing to be replaced.

When the hybrids learned their queen was settling here, they’d swept through the castle like a storm, andgroups of them were gathered at various points, frowning at cracked walls and discussing planned improvements.

I’d taken to sneaking around. Otherwise, I was surrounded, drawn into discussions about the differences between two shapes of tile, the benefits of cream curtains versus white.

Already, our lives were becoming ordinary. With normal problems. Well, as normal as our problems could be, considering we still had to form our court and oversee the settlement of thousands of hybrids to this kingdom.

But…the thought of those kinds of problems… I reveled in it.

Still, I waited until the group of hybrids turned the corner before making my way into our rooms. Daselis and Erea bustled out, nodding to me. While Prisca had offered them almost any position they could have wanted, they’d insisted on working with her right here.

And there was Prisca, standing on the balcony, staring out at our kingdom.

She glanced over her shoulder at me and smirked as I closed the door and crossed the room. “Did you decide between cobalt blue and cerulean paint?”

Wrapping my arms around her, I nuzzled her cheek. “Why is it that these women think I am the one who should be asked these questions?”

Prisca’s entire body shook. And a strange snorting sound left her throat.

“What did you do?” I nipped her ear and turned her in my arms.

“I may or may not have told everyone you truly enjoy making such important decisions.”

“You. Did. What?”

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