Page 84 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

Was that who I was becoming? My eyes burned.

Tibris stiffened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t plan this. Gods… he didn’t either. I know it’s inconvenient, but he’s on our side, Pris.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks. Tibris looked like I was torturing him. “If it’s impossible for us to be together, just tell me.”

“And you’d let him go? Just like that?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. No, my brother wouldn’t let Herne go. But if he thought I didn’t approve, he would remain torn between us.

“I’m sorry, Pris. I didn’t mean to fall in love withhim. Just like you didn’t mean to fall in love with Lorian. I understand you’re angry—”

“Stop.”

He shoved his hand through his hair,

“I’m not angry. I’m not annoyed. I’m happy for you.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “You don’t seem happy.”

“I’m also…hurt,” I admitted. “Because you thought I’d put politics ahead of you. And at the same time, I understand why you would think that. I’ve made choices that will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life.” My stomach churned. Those choices had ensured almost an entire village of hybrids had died. Those choices had left me without my power at this crucial moment during this war. I dropped my own gaze, unable to meet his eyes. “Why wouldn’t you think that?”

“Herne’s people shot me,” he said. “He decided to keep me as a hostage so he could make you do whatever he wanted.”

Despite his words, I smiled. It was as if he needed to get all of Herne’s bad deeds out into the open so I could decide if I would accept him.

I’d accepted Herne the moment Tibris told me he was in love.

My brother had never said that word before. Never even implied it.

“He kept the rebels alive and made it almost impossible for Eryndan to strike at their camp. He’s a good leader, Tibris, even though he almost got you killed. I still want him on our side. And…if he’s the one for you, I’ll support you both.”

His grin lit up his whole face. It hit me then. In themiddle of this war, I was so, so grateful I could have this moment with my brother. There was still good in this world. Love still existed, and it was everywhere.

I grinned back. “Will I like him?”

He shook his head. “No. Not at first. He’s stubborn, arrogant, hotheaded… You know, he’s not unlike Madinia.”

I groaned. “Two of them. Just what we need.”

Tibris only laughed. “We’d better get back for the meeting.”

Which meant getting back to the reality of our situation. I sighed. “Let’s go, then.”

Tibris turned quiet as we walked back toward the castle.

“What is it?”

“It’s Vicer. Do you think he’s dead, Pris?”

“No. I think Vicer is smart, and he’s lucky. He’s managed to survive all this time, after all.” I’d gone straight to denial. But I truly couldn’t imagine Vicer being struck down in that village.

By the time we made our way up to the large sitting room we were using for most of our meetings, we were the last to arrive, and Lorian gestured at the seat he’d saved for me. He looked rested, almost relaxed, but he scanned every inch of me as I sat down.

Tor’s eyes were wide as he glanced around the sitting room.

I watched his gaze sweeping across the wood of the table between us—polished to a gleam, the thick curtains framing windows overlooking manicured gardens—held in place by jeweled ties, and the plates of dainty pastriesplaced on the table by uniformed servants.

The look in Tor’s eyes reminded me of my first few days in Lesdryn. I’d been torn between awe and disgust as I’d compared the differences between those lucky enough to live in the cities and those from villages such as ours.

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