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“You truly care?” The words were lifeless, but I heard the undercurrent of accusation.

I stared at him. “Of course I do.”

His mouth twisted, and his gaze speared into mine. I knew what he was thinking. That I’d cared until I was confronted with the fact that Rythos was fae, and then I hadn’t let him touch me.

Lorian had obviously seen that too.

My lower lip trembled, and I clamped down on it. I wouldn’t let him see me cry. Lorian’s gaze dropped to my mouth, and I glanced away.

Telean cleared her throat. “Mind how you speak to the queen.”

I hunched my shoulders. Something that might have been amusement flickered in Lorian’s eyes. A moment later, it was gone.

“Rythos will live,” was all he said. “Your dragon turned three of the iron guard to ash. The other hybrids rallied, and Rythos dispatched the remaining iron guards with his sword.”

“Dragon?”

“The fae believe those with exceptionally strong fire magic are descended from dragons.”

Madinia certainly had the temper of a dragon. I tucked that information away and turned my attention back to Lorian. “I could have saved lives if I’d been there.”

“This is proof that you’re in exactly the right place.”

“Four people are dead. Four hybrids.”

He took a step closer, his expression dark. “What do you think the iron guards will do to you if they find you?”

I turned, and Telean caught my hand, ignoring Lorian. “Your people don’t need another fighter on the ground, Nelayra. They need a queen.”

I opened my mouth, sharp words on the tip of my tongue.

“We have company,” a sailor called from outside the mess deck.

“The Gromalians,” Lorian bit out.

My knees quaked, but I attempted a smirk. “Since you pretended to be their prince for so long, I bet theyreallywant to talk to you,” I purred. “How about you go smooth those ruffled feathers, and I’ll keep traveling?”

Lorian just looked at me.

Some dark, unhappy part of me insisted I continue. “After all, we no longer need each other anymore. Your brother is the one I’ll have to negotiate with. Or am I wrong?”

Lorian hadn’t explained. Hadn’t tried to talk to me. Hadn’t bothered tofightfor me. I’d been a distraction for him. A plaything. And once we got to the fae lands, I’d likely have continued encounters with him as I negotiated with his brother. Even though every minute I spent in Lorian’s presence felt like someone had clutched my heart in their fist and was squeezing.

Telean slowly rose to her feet. She shook her head at both of us, shuffling out the door.

Lorian’s gaze turned feral. “If you ally with my brother, you’re also allying withme, wildcat.”

My heart thundered in my chest. At this rate, I’d never be rid of him. Despair rose, thick and bitter.

“They’re coming!” a panicked voice shouted, and Lorian gave me a long look that said we’d continue this later.

I curled my lip at him and stalked out of the cabin, winding my way up to the deck.

Sailors were running, tying ropes, turning the ship.

We’d set sail on a merchant ship. Lorian had ensured the crew were well prepared, and we’d sailed under cover of darkness as soon as we’d fled the city gates, anyone who might’ve stopped us already dead. But the ship that approached us…

It was a masterpiece of engineering, and my breath caught in my throat as it cut through the waves, advancing steadily toward us. The ship’s hull, crafted from what looked like dark, aged oak, was intricately carved with mythical beasts. I squinted but couldn’t make out much more than winged creatures that seemed to be in flight as the ship bobbed up and down with the waves.