Page 78 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Panic writhed through my gut like a deadly snake. Who would follow the hybrid heir if they learned the time power she wielded no longer existed?

“Prisca.” Lorian’s voice was soft, and I arranged my expression into something neutral. We were already approaching the castle.

Our welcome was similar to the one we’d received at the city gates, and I studied the statues in the courtyard as one of the stable hands took my horse. It felt as if it were only yesterday that Rekja and I had stood here, his father still alive and unwilling to help us. I’d threatened Rekja then. Threatened him with Thora. And then I’d ensured the Eprothan ambassador had seen us together, close enough to give value to the rumors we’d started. Then, I’d thought those were some of the worst things I could do. I’d had no idea just what lengths I would go to for my people.

Now, Rekja’s father was dead. He’d killed him—and I was partly responsible.

Several servants leaped forward, greeting us as if we were old friends and leading us to the same rooms we’dstayed in last time.

“We have others who will be arriving soon,” I said. “My aunt Telean, Daharak Rostamir—”

“Oh, we know.” One of the women smiled. “His Majesty has instructed us to prepare rooms for all of your friends and allies. And Madinia Farrow arrived just a few hours ago.”

I let out a shaky laugh. Madinia was finally safe.

Marth muttered something and stalked away. Lorian was staring at a spot by the window, his expression haunted.

“I think we’ll take some time to freshen up.” I attempted a smile. As much as I wanted to see Madinia immediately, I wouldn’t leave Lorian with that look in his eyes.

“Of course, Your Majesty… Only…”

I took pity on her. “What is it?”

“Regner’s queen.” Her nose crinkled and was brought under control immediately.

“She’s here?”

“Yes, she arrived yesterday. His Majesty said you would likely wish to speak to her at your convenience, so she is currently under strict guard. But I believe she has somehow heard of your arrival and…”

I sighed. “I can only imagine how demanding she is being. I’ll see her as soon as I’ve changed out of my traveling clothes.”

Kaliera would, after all, sniff out any hint of weakness.

Lorian stepped up next to me. The color had returned to his face, but my instincts screamed at me. Which of thedead were torturing him now?

“I’ll come with you,” he said to me. “First, I want to speak to Rekja.”

If Lorian wanted to speak to Rekja alone, it wouldn’t be about war strategy. He would never enter those discussions without my input.

As curious as I was, I was more desperate to bathe properly for the first time in days.

I pondered Kaliera as I bathed. There were only two reasons she would be here. Either she’d decided to work with Regner to infiltrate us, or he had discovered just how duplicitous she truly was. If it was the first reason, I felt relatively confident we could keep her from learning anything crucial. If it was the second, I couldn’t understand how she could possibly still be alive.

By the time the water grew cold and I’d forced myself out of the tub, Lorian had returned. His gaze was a caress as I stepped into the room, a silk robe clinging to my damp skin.

He’d also found somewhere to bathe and change, and I allowed myself to wander closer, until he snatched me up and attacked my mouth with a fierce need I hadn’t expected.

I sank into him, my head whirling as all thoughts and reason disappeared. It wasn’t just my head that was whirling—the room was moving around me because he’d picked me up and was stalking toward the bed.

I yanked my head back.

“I don’t think so. As much as I enjoy the thought of Kaliera waiting for us, I’d be too…distracted.”

He gave me a wicked grin. “I bet I could convinceyou to change your mind.”

I’d bet he could too.

I hesitated. We hadn’t had enough time together while we were traveling, and I missed him. Missed being close. I was incredibly tempted to try to lock out the world.

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