Page 82 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“If you’d prefer to wait until we’re in our kingdom, we can,” he said. “But everyone you love will soon be gathered here. They’ll all be together for the last time— likely until this war is over.”

My mouth had gone dry at the thought. He was right. “You want to make sure everyone can attend.” Because there was a very real chance that we might lose more people we loved.

“I would marry you anytime, anywhere,” he said. “But we deserve one day of joy and happiness before weface whatever is to come.”

I peered up at him, my gaze sweeping over his sharp cheekbones, those piercing green eyes so intent as he watched me. His mouth was curved, but the tiniest line had formed between his dark brows.

He wanted me to say yes. This mattered to him. Greatly.

I realized then that somewhere along the way, I’d stopped picturing a future. I’d stopped contemplatingourfuture.

And so, even as I’d nodded along while others talked about what would happen after the war, and I’d made plans out loud, a large part of me didn’t truly believe I would be here to see it happen. Especially now that I had no power.

It seemed almost as if I was testing fate to assume I would survive. After everything I’d done. All the people I’d killed, all the ways I’d defied the gods.

Lorian knew.

I wondered how much of that knowledge had gone into his insistence that we be married now and not wait until after the war. He was trying to make me picture our lives together. Trying to bring that numb part of me back to life.

And he was succeeding.

“If Rekja agrees…” I began, then narrowed my eyes at him. That was why he had disappeared. “You’ve already asked him, haven’t you?”

He dropped a kiss to my forehead, lingering for a long moment. “Of course I have.”

13

Prisca

Telean and Daharak settled into Rekja’s castle the next day. It was oddly disconcerting to see the pirate queen away from her ships, and from the nonplussed expression on her face as she stalked around the castle, she felt the same.

I’d wrapped my arms around Telean the moment I saw her. There was much we’d left unsaid, but I’d never forget the sick feeling of dread when I’d thought either of us would die with harsh words still between us.

She’d petted my back then stepped away to murmur with Lorian. Our relationship was still fractured, but it would be fixed. I’d make sure of it.

The word had gone out to all our allies. We would meet at Rekja’s castle to finalize our plans and prepare for war.

Four days later, Tibris, Demos, and Asinia arrived early in the morning. With them, they brought a man they introduced as Tor. Demos had found the only chance we had to weaken Regner’s wards enough for us to kill him.

I launched myself at Tibris, tears sliding down my cheeks as I hugged him. Heclutched me to him, only letting go when Demos muttered something I didn’t catch beneath my breath.

Demos squeezed me so tightly, I almost couldn’t breathe. Had he somehow packed onmoremuscle?

Asinia looked healthier than she had in years. Her skin had darkened with the sun, and she moved easily—as if she’d reached a new level of comfort with herself. She wrapped her arms around me, and we held tight, rocking from side to side for long moments.

I glanced around. “Where’s Vynthar?”

A cloud rolled over her expression. “We don’t know, Pris. The last time we saw him was in Ardanor, and then… he hasn’t appeared since.”

My stomach roiled. Vynthar had terrified me the first time I’d met him. But now…now, I considered him a friend.

“Do you think he’s…”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Demos said.

If hewasfine, then he’d just…left.

Perhaps he’d decided he had done enough. Given enough. He’d saved lives when the skyrions attacked the rebel village. He’d gone with Asinia and Demos to keep them safe. He’d done so much more than I could’ve ever hoped.

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