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Just as long as she was dead soon after.

So my son could take his crown.

CHAPTERFOUR

Leaving Telean was difficult. I hadn’t realized how much I’d come to rely on her, how often I turned to her for support during the day. How many times I ran my thoughts past her. But my aunt looked exhausted—her face drawn and tight, her shoulders more hunched than usual. I was hoping she would spend most of the remainder of her journey resting.

After I’d had a good, long cry on the ship—while the horses were being procured—I’d washed my face and had a stern talk with myself.

I needed to work with Lorian. He likely had some reason for wanting me to go directly to the hybrid camp. It probably wasn’t even about me—he was probably engaged in some power struggle with his brother. Either way, his change of heart would benefit the hybrids.

In the meantime, I had to keep my distance from him. We might need to travel together, but I would suffocate any feelings that attempted to come back to life.

I was no longer that village girl. And he’d never been a mercenary.

Lorian had sent one of the sailors to purchase a couple of horses for us. From the long-suffering sigh as he surveyed the mounts the sailor returned with, he would have much preferred to have completed the task himself.

“This is Tilly.” The sailor handed me the lead rope. He was one of the few who was brave enough to talk to me, and I smiled at him.

His skin flushed until it matched the red of his hair.

Clearing his throat, the sailor glanced at Lorain. “This is Whisper,” he said.

Lorian examined the stocky horse, which didn’t exactly look light on its hooves.

“Nelayra.” My aunt held out her arms, and I leaned down, giving her a hug. My eyes met Lorian’s over her shoulder. He stared steadily back at me, and I attempted to mimic his calm demeanor.

“She will be fine,” he murmured, and for once, neither of us was hissing at the other.Thatwas unlikely to last.

“And the hybrids?”

“The healer is remaining. They will recover better on the ship where they can rest.”

Sailors called to one another on the ship. The pirate queen was waiting to escort them out of Gromalian waters, and they needed to depart. Since Lorian had been correct about the hidden cove, we’d decided it made the most sense for Lorian and me to slip into the city like any other travelers. Hopefully, by the time the Gromalian king learned we’d docked in his city, we would have made it out of Gromalia.

“Stay safe,” my aunt ordered.

I nodded. “I’ll see you soon.”

And then she was gone, and Lorian and I were riding through the streets of Thobirea and toward the western walls of the city.

I was wearing the clothes Daharak had left me. Any pants of hers would have hit me several inches above my ankle, so she must have borrowed them from someone else. She’d also found me a cloak, which would help hide me from anyone who knew to look out for the hybrid heir.

“I need to stop for a few minutes,” Lorian said.

Glancing at him, I made sure he saw my knowing smirk. “Ah. So this little side trip wasn’t a gift for me at all.”

“I would have returned to the city myself after I left you with Conreth,” he replied tonelessly. “This is simply a more expedient choice.”

I wrinkled my nose at the reminder of who he was and what his plans were for me.

“Fine. I need to send a letter to my brother anyway.”

“To which brother?”

“Don’t you worry your bloodthirsty little head.”

His eyes flashed. “You want my help? You’ll tell me exactly what you’re up to.”