Page 81 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“I’ll tell you everything you want to know,” she said. Finally, she’d lost some of her confidence—false as it might have been.

Some part of me almost felt sorry for her. It didn’t feel good to deny anyone access to their family or to allow Madinia to threaten their lives. But I knew what it was to lose the people I loved now. And I would never risk those people based on Kaliera’s trustworthiness.

“And if I find out you’re lying, I’ll kill you slowly,” Lorian said.

Her eyes narrowed as she faced Lorian, but the color left her cheeks. Not only would he happily use her son as leverage, but he’d kill her without a second thought. It was clear by the cold promise in his eyes. And from the single, sharp nod she gave, she knew it too.

“I learned something else that may be of some importance,” she said quickly. “I will tell you now to prove that you can trust me.”

“Fine,” Madinia said. “Tell us.”

“When I was hiding in the mine, I overheard two Eprothan guards speaking about the origins of the monsters.”

“Regner stole them as younglings when their parents left to hunt,” Lorian said.

Kaliera shook her head. “You don’t understand. There were so many monsters in that mine. Thousands. Plus, I heard you were attacked by thousands more. Servants talk.” She waved her hand. “The guard said one of the fae wardens—a woman—has been giving Regner creatures from her territory.” She met Lorian’s eyes. “He laughed and said you have no idea what’s coming for you.”

Lorian’s expression didn’t change. “That was all he said?”

Kaliera nodded. “I have…someone I can put you in contact with. Someone else who has traveled into the mines. He knew where the amulet was.”

“And just who is he?” I asked.

“The pirate queen’s brother. His name is Pelysian. He wants Regner dead too.”

“Fine,” I said. “Write down how we can contact him and give the information to one of the guards on your door.”

Lorian held out his hand for me, and I took it. Together, the three of us walked out.

I could hear voices in the room next door. Marth said something, and Galon and Rythos laughed in response.

“If she’s not lying, she’s just saved Conreth’s people days of searching for the amulet,” I said.

“Lyrishade was the next place we were planning to check after a small village nearby. Conreth no longer has many of our people that far north,” Lorian said. “It sounds as if we will need to send a highly trained group of our own.”

Madinia didn’t say another word. Just turned and stalked away. I couldn’t even imagine the horrors she’d seen. Perhaps…perhaps she would just need some time.

“And the warden?”

Lorian’s eyes turned flat. “Kaliera might be attempting to make us turn on one another. Sylvielle has powerful allies—something Regner would know if this is the truth. If Conreth makes a move on her without proof, her allies will refuse to march with him.”

“She refused to join with us at the summit.”

“Yes. And now, that choice looks much more suspicious. I will send a message to Conreth. Unless she is an idiot, she will agree to join us on the front lines instead of risking a full investigation.”

I knew Conreth well enough by now to know he would still make sure that investigation happened.

“There’s something else,” Lorian said. Stepping forward, he cupped my chin, gazing down at me. “I want to marry you.”

His words were so unexpected, I blushed, glancing at the guards. They stared straight ahead, pretending they’d lost all hearing. Grabbing Lorian’s arm, I pulled him down the hall.

“Haven’t we already had this conversation?”

He allowed me to direct him to our rooms, but the moment we entered, he pressed me against the wall with a grin. One of those wide, happy grins I so rarely got to see. I memorized the sight of that grin and tucked it away.

“I want to marry you here.”

I blinked. “In…Gromalia?”

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