6 PRISCA
“How did this happen?” I asked Blynth, my throat tight.
Marth had dragged Jorvik away, stashing him out of my sight while we discussed our next move. Zathrian had once again proven that he could easily get close to me whenever he wanted.
Lightning flickered in Lorian’s eyes, and even Blynth looked disconcerted by the sparks rising from his skin.
“It’s a power play, meant to frighten you,” Blynth said. “But it tells us one thing. Your cousin doesn’t truly believe he can take the crown by force. And clearly, the hybrid elders are no longer enchanted by the idea of his ruling.”
They may not be enchanted with my cousin, but if they ever learned I’d turned back time, any support they might have given us would be gone. I glanced at Lorian, and he met my eyes steadily. No, we wouldn’t tell them. And neither would any of our people.
But which of the elders had switched sides? The last I’d heard, I’d only had Ysara and Tymriel.
We were all sitting around the small table, cups of wine in our hands. Jorvik’s betrayal had accomplished one thing—all formality had disappeared between us.
Lorian’s expression was hard. “If he’d gotten her alone, he could have assassinated her.”
“You have my sincere apologies. This never should have happened. If I may…Nelayra.” Blynth folded his hands on the table. I’d convinced him to drop the formal address while we were in private, but I was no longer fighting my birth name. Nelayra was the hybrid heir. It was Nelayra whom the hybrids would go to war for. “This is a taunt,” he said. “Your cousin doesn’t think you’ll hand over the crown, no matter what he does. But he did it to show you he can get close. To throw you off your stride. To make you feel unsafe.”
Zathrian had achieved all of those things.
Blynth studied my face, and I wondered what he could see.
Beneath the table, Lorian reached for my hand and squeezed. “How much does Jorvik know of our plans?”
Blynth carefully considered this, as he seemed to carefully consider everything. “He was only given the position as my aide because we were already on the move and Thorge was dead. He has the appropriate rank, but before this, he didn’t have access to any war plans or knowledge of our troops.”
“I’ll give him to Marth,” Lorian said. “He will be able to learn exactly what Jorvik has shared. In the meantime, let’s discuss what will happen next.”
It was my turn to squeeze his hand in a silent thank-you. I hadn’t realized how shaken I was until this very moment. But Lorian knew. And he was giving me a moment to recover.
Blynth didn’t argue, simply reached into one of the large satchels he had traveled with and pulled out a map, which he spread out on the table between us.
“Regner’s ships were as far south as they could anchor while still remaining in Eprothan waters,” he said, gesturing to the area. “They’ve now disappeared.”
“Disappeared?”
He nodded. “Regner must have ordered them north. I just can’t understand why. Meanwhile, his regiments are positioned throughout Eprotha, moving closer to the Gromalian border.”
“Now that Eryndan is dead, he’s going to try to take Gromalia,” Lorian said. “Then he’ll work his way down to the fae lands, which are fractured—with only some of the wardens cooperating with us. He’ll wield the last amulet, taking down our wards with stolen power and brute force.”
“With Rekja’s army fighting on their own borders and in their seas, they won’t be able to spare anyone to fight with us,” I said. “Regner doesn’t even truly need to conquer Gromalia—he just needs to ensure the kingdom is incapacitated, the Gromalian armies busy protecting their own people. And then we’ll be forced to fight in the fae lands. Alone.” Icy rage swept through me. How many people would die before he was done?
“Meanwhile, Zathrian will attempt to take the hybrid kingdom. He has taken your army and will use it to attack any who prevent him from becoming king. Including you and any hybrid who allies with you,” Lorian said grimly. “As soon as Regner feels he has adequately conquered Gromalia and weakened the fae, he will target our people—turning on Zathrian.”
A heavy silence claimed the room. As much as all of us wanted Zathrian to pay, it was the hybrids fighting under his flag who would suffer.
“One of the hybrid elders has agreed to contact Orivan. One of Zathrian’s generals,” I said.
Blynth’s brows shot up. “I know Orivan. He’s a good man—and a loyalist. Before this, I never would have imagined he would follow your cousin. I will attempt to send him a message as well. Hopefully he can be persuaded to listen.”
Would I try to steal Zathrian’s army—my army—out from beneath him?
Without hesitation.
“Thank you, Blynth.”
“We need Demos,” Blynth said. “Not to imply that you’re not necessary, Your Majesty,” he said quickly. “But—”
I shook my head. “I understand. Demos has a deep knowledge of our people, our army, and the tactics most likely to work. And sending messages back and forth to him is simply taking too long.”
If Demos, Tibris, and Asinia hadn’t managed to convince the rebels to join with us by now—after the attack they’d experienced—they likely were not going to be able to. And we were running out of time. The reality was, they couldn’t stay wth the rebels indefinitely. My mind went quiet, and the churning in my gut eased. The thought of having all of them back with me, even just for a little while… “I’ll ask Demos to meet us after our visit to Sorlithia.”
Blynth nodded. “Thank you.”
The absence of Regner’s fleet made heat simmer through my veins. Where was he? What was he planning?
We’d heard nothing from Kaliera either. Had Regner learned of her betrayal? Was she dead? Truthfully, I doubted there was much she could tell us now. At this point, she would only become a threat. Still, I didn’t want to have to tell Jamic his mother was dead before he got to see her again.
“We need Rekja’s armies,” I said.
Lorian squeezed my hand. “I have some good news, at least. Conreth gave me full access to his generals.”
“What?” Lorian had said they’d talked, but his eyes had been so cold, I hadn’t asked him about the contents of that conversation.
Now, he nodded, his expression grim. “When we meet with the others after convincing Rekja to help, both fae and hybrid generals will be present.”
Blynth nodded at the unspoken command. “I will ensure everyone we need is there.” He hesitated. “And the hybrids in the fae lands?”
Some of the tension melted from the back of my neck at the reminder of who we were fighting for. “The moment the time is right, when we’ve dealt with any of Regner’s soldiers hiding in the pass and when our armies are in position, the hybrids are going home.”
Blynth’s eyes met mine. “Some of them won’t go. They won’t trust it. They’ll have too many memories of last time.”
And he was one of them. I could tell by the way his jaw ticked. “I won’t force anyone to go,” I said gently. “But this is the best way to keep them safe. The pass is clear of snow. Unlike last time when our people were forced to flee, they will be properly clothed, carrying food and other supplies with them. And they will be guarded.”
My chest ached at the expression on his face. It was something I’d seen time and time again from the hybrids. The tiniest glimpse of hope, ruthlessly suppressed.
“If you believe it can be done…”
“It can. I will make sure of it.”
“I didn’t want to serve you,” Blynth said suddenly. Next to me, Lorian tensed, and it was my turn to squeeze his hand. “When I learned you were alive,” the general continued. “I asked myself what you could possibly have to offer—a village girl who knew nothing of our history.”
I wasn’t surprised. I wouldn’t have wanted to take orders from me either. And still, his words made me tired.
But he was still talking. “If you can achieve this…if you can truly bring our people home…I’ll happily kneel to you for the rest of my life.”
I attempted a smile, but it was likely more of a grimace. “We need to begin moving our people out of the fae lands and into Gromalia.”
Blynth studied the map. “You’re hoping Rekja will join you and his army will become ours.”
“I’m hoping we will march together, yes.”
“And what of the amulets?”
Lorian leaned back in his chair. “We have two of them. My brother has people searching in northern Eprotha for the third. We suspect Regner has hidden it in one of his mines. I am waiting to hear from Conreth, but we may send a group of our own.”
Blynth nodded. Slowly, he got to his feet. “In that case, I will take my leave. I hope we can speak again soon, Nelayra.”
I smiled at him. “Yes, of course.”
The moment the door shut behind him, Lorian silently cupped my cheek. “I’m sorry he got so close. That I allowed him this close.”
“Stop, Lorian. You didn’t allow Zathrian to do anything.”
My cousin had proven over and over exactly what kind of man he was—and the lengths he would go to for power.
But no matter what horrors came to pass, we would face them together. My heart rate steadied, and I pulled Lorian close.
As if reading my mind, he shifted his hand to my chin, tilting my head back until I met his eyes. “I need you to promise me that you will never risk your life like this again. That you’ll never almost throw your own life away to save mine.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Listen to me, wildcat. Our story doesn’t end when this life does. You’ll be mine in the next life––and the life after that. If you hadn’t wielded time, I would have waited as long as it took to see you again.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks. I heard what he was saying. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw the moment Conreth’s power hit him. And the way his body had just… shattered. He was there, and then he wasn’t. For a few sickening, awful moments, he had left me.
And out of all the darkest moments of my life, those were the worst.
He sighed at my silence, gently brushing away my tears.
“What am I going to do with you?”
I reached for him, guiding his mouth to mine. “Love me,” I murmured against his lips. “Just love me.”
He let out a rough groan, gently biting my lower lip before laving the tiny sting with his tongue. My knees weakened, and he pulled me closer, deepening our kiss, his tongue stroking against mine.
I breathed in the scent of him, basking in the feel of his arms around me. A moment later, he was pulling me out of the cabin, ignoring anyone who attempted to talk to us as he dragged me back to our own.
He slammed the door in Galon’s face and immediately locked it. I let out a choked laugh.
“Lorian!”
“He can come back later.”
He pulled me close, his quick fingers easily unlacing the ties holding my dress in place, until it was only held up by his chest plastered to mine.
The dress fell to the floor, and he lifted his head. Sliding my hands up his chest, I unbuttoned his shirt, taking a detour to smooth my palms over the bumps and ridges of his abdominals. I let one hand dip teasingly low, and Lorian shuddered, pressing against me.
Shucking off his shirt, he pushed me back onto the bed, grinning down at me when I gaped up at him in surprise. I hadn’t even been aware that we were moving.
His smile was wide, disarming, with that hint of vulnerability––one that reminded me he wasn’t used to making such a joyous expression.
I was going to fill his life with so much happiness and joy, until I got to see that smile every single day.
His smile faltered, but his eyes remained filled with life.
“What is it?”
When I first met Lorian, I’d never imagined he could look like this. So open and at ease, despite all the reasons he had to be bitter and furious.
Lifting my hand, I ran my thumb along his lower lip. “I like to see you smile, that’s all.”
Sarcastic smirks, wicked grins, and the cold, feral smiles he so often wore right before he hurt someone. Once, I’d thought that was all Lorian was.
“You make me smile,” he said, nuzzling my palm.
He caught my hand with his, brushing his lips against the sensitive skin of my wrist. I shivered, and he kissed his way up my arm, finding the spots that made me squirm. The places that made my thighs clench.
Even my arm felt sensual when Lorian was the one paying it this kind of attention.
Slowly, methodically, he stripped my remaining clothes from me, pausing to nibble at my hip, to caress my breast, to kiss a path from my collarbone to my belly button. I shivered and arched and urged him on, but there was no rushing Lorian when he was in this mood.
My head spun, and I realized he’d rolled us. I grinned, leaning down to kiss my way across his chest, moving down, down—
“What—”
“Here,” he said, having lifted me as if I weighed nothing. “I’ve fantasized about this.”
I blinked down at him. He’d positioned me above his shoulders, a knee on either side of his head.
“Ride my face, wildcat.”
My cheeks blazed so hot, it was as if they’d caught on fire.
Lorian laughed. For some reason, he still found it both amusing and enticing when he managed to embarrass me. I wasn’t a prude, but compared to his long-lived fae sensuality, I was still catching up.
I shifted, and he wrapped his hands around my thighs. “Let me make you feel good.”
“Like this?” I bit my lip as I looked down at him. I wasn’t ashamed of my body. If anything, I was feeling particularly proud of it recently after all the training I’d been doing. But…no one looked good at this angle.
Lorian lifted his head and nipped my thigh. “Be filthy with me.”
“I just—”
He sighed. “Perhaps I’m not being clear. I want you to sit on my face until all I can taste, all I can smell, all I can feel is you. Now.”
“Who put you in charge?” I muttered, slowly lowering my hips. “Arrogant—ohh…”
He chuckled against me, using his hands to urge me closer as his tongue swept across my clit, dipping down to my entrance, where he lingered before dancing that clever tongue around the most sensitive part of me once more.
My head fell back, and I groaned.
Lorian’s hands tightened at the sound, a growl leaving his throat and sending the most delicious sensation through me.
I shuddered, head spinning, my breath coming in ragged pants. He just increased his pressure, seemingly insatiable for the taste of me. I looked down, and his eyes were dazed with feral pleasure as they met mine. I clutched at his forearms, desperate for something to hold on to.
Every muscle in my body tensed, my thighs tightening. He lashed his tongue along my slit, teasing me, and I broke out in a sweat, stomach clenching, rocking my hips for more, more, more.
I realized I was moaning the word, right as he circled my clit and then sucked.
Arching my back, I drew in a single breath, thighs quaking. Pleasure rippled through my body, and I shuddered with it, coming apart so completely, it felt as if I would never be put back together.
When I opened my eyes, I had slumped over, and Lorian was watching me with a strange kind of contentment.
“More,” he said.
I shook my head, throat dry. He just laughed.
“In that case…”
Lorian flipped us, positioning me on my hands and knees, ass in the air. Smoothing his hands over my butt, he made an appreciative sound.
His hard length pushed against my entrance, sliding inside me. I was still sensitive, and I squeezed down on him, enjoying his low grunt.
He thrust achingly slowly, then stopped, buried within me, brushing one hand down my back, gently caressing my skin.
I was still shaking, I realized, my muscles trembling from the most incredible climax of my life.
And yet the feel of him, so deep within me, his hands teasing my body…
“Does that feel good?” he purred, leaning close as he thrust again. “You’re so fucking tight, wildcat.”
My nipples tightened, and I rocked back into him, bucking, desperate for more.
He increased the pace, driving into me, sliding one hand under me, finding my clit.
The sound I let out was half yelp, half moan, and he laughed. “Good girl.”
I was writhing now, but he kept the same steady speed, fingers drifting over my clit just enough to keep me on the edge.
“Lorian…”
“Something you want, Prisca?”
I tensed in an attempt to flip us over and take exactly what I wanted. He just laughed again. “I don’t think so.” His hands found my hips, and he slammed into me, until my breaths came in rough pants and all I could feel was him urging me higher and higher…
Warmth swelled through my body as his movements became faster, harder, almost violent.
I reveled in it.
My climax hit me like one of his lightning bolts, until all I could do was moan, my hands fisting in the blankets beneath us. Lorian continued thrusting, then stilled, pushing deep within me and staying there for several long moments. A rough curse left his throat, and I smiled, dropping my head to the bed.
If I were a coward, I would leave right now.
I would take this chance—while Sabium continued his conversation with Zathrian and Eadric alone—and I would run for my life.
And then I would face the reality that I was alone, hunted, and practically powerless.
How would I live with myself if I didn’t make the most of this opportunity?
Instead, I filled my pockets with jewels, added several necklaces and bracelets to those I was already wearing, and waited for the castle to fall silent.
Nelia was gone.
Pelysian could not help me.
But I was a queen. And one day, I would rule this continent.
Time crawled, until I felt as if I might peel off my skin for some relief. Finally, I cracked open my door, ignoring the night guards, and strolled toward Sabium’s rooms.
I had every right to walk wherever I wanted.
Sabium was the only one who would question my presence.
I smiled at his guards, forcing a blush to my cheeks. Let them assume I was visiting him for sex.
Even if Alcandre was the one walking into his rooms each night.
Maroon and gold assaulted my eyes as I stepped inside Sabium’s receiving room. His sitting room was also empty, but I could hear the sound of water splashing from his bathing room, the murmur of Sabium’s servants. My heart pounded, and I scanned the room.
No, he wouldn’t keep it here.
His bedroom was next. I stepped inside, and it felt as if the temperature plummeted several degrees.
There it was.
My vision narrowed until all I could see was the cover. The grimoire didn’t look ancient, yet the god had likely protected it with his power.
Pure elation filled my lungs as I reached for it.
And Sabium’s laugh rang out behind me.
I whirled, backing toward the door. He stood in front of his closet, Tymedes at his side, several guards next to him. And those guards held Lisveth, Caraceli and Pelopia in their arms, hands covering their mouths.
The bathing room had gone silent. Alcandre slipped from the room wrapped in nothing but a bath sheet, a tiny smile playing around her mouth.
She had done this.
Sabium watched me, his eyes dancing. Realization slid through me. This was exactly what he had wanted. If he’d killed me earlier, word would have spread about the slaughter of the queen he’d claimed to love. Now, he could prove I was a traitor, and his court would celebrate my death.
“Did you really think I didn’t know you were planning to steal from me?” He smiled. “Who told you about the grimoire, hmm?”
Lisveth whimpered.
I would kill them all. My hands trembled as I opened the grimoire, scanning it desperately for the magic I needed.
Blank pages.
I froze.
Sabium chuckled. “Oh, Kaliera. You truly are the stupidest woman on this continent. Well, except for this one.” He gestured to Lisveth, and I let out a choked scream.
“No, Sabium!”
The guard dragged his knife across Lisveth’s throat. Blood spurted.
So much blood.
The room suddenly seemed to be painted red with it.
Lisveth’s screams turned to a choking cough, and the guard stepped back, letting her slump to the floor.
My eyes met Alcandre’s.
Her face had whitened, but her lips thinned as I stared at her.
She sauntered toward me, and Sabium allowed it. “You didn’t protect us,” she hissed, leaning close. “Every day of our lives revolved around serving you. You knew what was happening in this castle, and you left us to be preyed on. Now it’s your turn.”
“And Lisveth?”
“These fools won’t survive what’s coming. I’m doing them a favor.”
Cold rage swept through me. But I looked past her.
“Sabium, please.”
“Call me by my name, my love.”
I shuddered. “Regner.” The word was almost soundless, my voice hoarse. But he smiled.
This had all been a game to him. He’d allowed me to eat with Zathrian, to learn of his alliance, and to know exactly how the barrier had fallen. Then he’d used Alcandre to trap me.
And Lisveth.
Poor, sweet Lisveth.
Tears were streaming down Pelopia’s face. Caraceli was struggling in the guard’s arms. They knew they were about to die.
I inhaled, sharp and quick, shoring up my resolve.
I couldn’t help them.
My hands were moving before I understood what I was doing.
And I shoved Alcandre toward them, darting toward the door.
Sabium’s laugh rang out behind us.
“Where do you think you’re going, Your Majesty?” Tymedes taunted. “Our king allowed me the honor of finally killing you.”
I ran faster.
The guards outside my room frowned at me, confused. “He has gone mad,” I snapped. “Protect me!”
One of the guards pulled his sword. Ducking into my room, I panted for breath.
“Stand down!” Tymedes roared at the guards.
I hiccupped out a sob, lunging for my mirror. Tymedes’s huge bulk swept into the room, just footspans behind me.
“Face your fate.” Tymedes swung his sword, and I ducked, lunging into the mirror.
Tymedes’s palm hit the glass. Our eyes met for a single moment, and his sword slammed into the mirror behind me, shattering the glass.
Would I be trapped here, in the between place?
My scream was ripped from my lungs as I lunged for the light on the other side.
Pelysian’s mother turned, head angled, as if she had been expecting me.
And I dropped to my knees, staring at the black ruin of the mirror on this side.
Lisveth’s trembling lips flashed in front of my eyes. The foolish child hadn’t deserved such a fate. But women so rarely received what they deserved. And much would be sacrificed to kill Sabium.
Still, my stomach swam at the uselessness of it all. At the sheer waste. I hadn’t stolen the grimoire. All I had managed to accomplish was allowing Sabium to know exactly how I had plotted against him.
Pelopia and Caraceli were dead, as were the others. Alcandre would die too, and hopefully, her death would be long and painful. It was only a matter of time.
Pelysian’s mother seemed to be waiting for me to speak. Slowly, I got to my feet.
Despite what Sabium would do to those who remained loyal to me, a smile played around my mouth. For so long, he had imagined me caged. Declawed.
“I suppose there are worse things than being a monster. Such as being leashed by one.”
Now, he knew better. I was no longer leashed by him. Had never truly been declawed.
I might not have the grimoire, but I was free. My son was free.
And now, I would ensure Sabium regretted everything he had done to me.
The temperature was cooler this close to the Normathe Mountains. That was a blessing as we tore through the forest in the heat of the day. But it would be a curse tonight when we were no longer moving.
I stumbled on some undergrowth, turning my ankle. I was too tired to curse. Besides, the young boy in my arms had begun to shiver. His burns must have been agonizing, but he was still in that deep, unnatural sleep.
A girl of around fifteen winters had taken the other boy, after breathlessly introducing herself to me as Narmena. Our group had been running for hours, although I could hardly call our stumbling trot a run. When we finally stopped to gulp at water from a stream, I removed my tunic, sank it in the cold water, and wrapped it around the boy.
“His name is Darnis,” Whirna whispered, pushing his hair off his face. Her hair held the same dark hue, the occasional strand lightened by the sun. Most of their features were similar too, from their sharp chins to the scattering of freckles across both their noses.
A large part of me was worried about the trauma and the travel sending Whirna into sudden labor. If that happened…
“The fire came so quickly,” she said, pressing a kiss to his brow. “I didn’t have time…”
I didn’t tell her he would be okay. But I spent several seconds brutally damning the gods for giving me the power of fire but not the power to fix burns.
I was a creature created for destruction, not healing. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t regret.
“Is everyone ready?” I asked.
Exhausted nods. No one complained. All of us were aware of what was at stake. The iron guards were coming. Some of those groups that’d fled would be found and slaughtered. It was inevitable, but my mouth flooded with rage and bitterness all the same.
I shouldn’t even be here. This shouldn’t be my problem. If not for the fucking barrier, I would have fled this continent the moment we’d escaped from Regner’s castle.
I should be in some distant land, where my greatest issue was choosing which dress to wear to dinner. I shouldn’t be feeling a young boy shiver his life away as I led a stunned, desperate group of hybrids through the forest.
This was all Prisca’s fault.
That bitch got beneath my skin. She made me care.
Now, I would be forced to watch as these people died one by one. Likely, I would bleed out in this fucking forest myself.
“Madinia?”
I forced some of the rage from my face. With a wave of my hand, we continued our desperate charge toward safety.