Page 89 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“Agreed,” Demos said. “But we can still deal him a blow.” His gaze met mine, and my stomach tensed before he even said the words. “I want to go.”

It would be so, so dangerous. “You don’t think you would be of more use elsewhere?”

He shook his head. “For now, our strategy remains the same. I’ll get the amulet and meet you after you’ve taken care of Zathrian. Because that’s what you’re planning, isn’t it, Pris?” One side of his mouth curved, but no humor glinted in his eyes.

The room had gone silent.

“Yes,” I admitted. “The time for wishing things could be different is over.”

Demos gave me an approving nod. “Hevdrin isright,” he said, glancing at the other man. “We can’t afford for Zathrian to turn our own people on us. But with Regner attacking on all fronts, we also can’t afford to just be on the defensive. Without the amulet, this can’t end.”

Surprising no one, Asinia got to her feet. “I’m going with him.”

Demos leveled her with a long stare, but he didn’t argue.

“Pick ten people to take with you,” I told them. “Powerful fae and hybrids.”

No one spoke. But a new energy had entered the room, and my skin prickled with it. It almost felt like the way the air crackled before Lorian used his power. It was a feeling of anticipation mixed with dread, mixed with something else. Determination, maybe.

“I’ll do it,” Tor said into the silence. His face was gray, and his lower lip trembled before he firmed it. “I’ll help you.”

I met his eyes. “Thank you.”

He just shook his head, turning away.

He’d made his decision. I shifted my attention to Blynth. “I need you to return to our army and ensure they are ready for battle.”

He nodded. “Done.”

Lorian got to his feet. The room went silent again.

“There’s another reason we wanted to bring you all here together. Even in the midst of war, it’s important to make time for joy. To allow hope to be our light in the dark. The day of the summit, I asked Prisca to marry me. We don’t know what will happen in this war. But we have to make time to celebrate our lives—or Regner wins.”Lorian looked at me then, and I blinked back tears.

“We want you to celebrate with us,” I said. “Tomorrow, before we all separate.”

Smiles unfurled, a few cheers broke out, and some of the quiet dread disappeared from the room. Warmth spread through my chest. This was why Lorian wanted to get married now. A chance to enjoy one another’s company one final time before we were all separated. To celebrate love and to celebrate one another.

Rythos and Galon slapped Lorian on the back. This announcement hadn’t come as a surprise to them, but they grinned at me.

Surprisingly, it was Marth who hugged me first. “I’m happy for you, Pris.”

“Thank you. And thank you for surviving Sorlithia and being here.”

He gave me a faint smile, stepping away to let the others congratulate us.

I’d asked Asinia and Madinia to stay, and they waited, one wearing a bright smile, the other a glower.

“Tomorrow, for our wedding…I want you to stand with me. Both of you.”

Joyful tears filled Asinia’s eyes. A cold rage filled Madinia’s. My heart sank.

“Of course, Pris,” Asinia said with a wide grin. “I’m honored.”

Madinia slowly shook her head, and my heart plummeted. “I never asked to be part of your little group. I’m here to win this war and leave. So stop trying to make me care about you. All of you.”

She turned and stalked out.

MADINIA

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