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I kept my expression bored. I could already tell it would infuriate her.

“We both know Vicer isn’t one of your people. Now,are you going to find him, or do I need to do it myself?”

I let my hand light up with a ball of fire, carefully studying her reaction.

She stepped back, positioning one of her men in front of her. That, more than anything, solidified exactly who and what she was.

Prisca would have shoved her body between a threat and any one of her people. It was how she was made. I might not agree with her blind loyalty and self-sacrificing nature, but they were some of the traits that would make her an excellent queen.

I let my gaze flick between the guard and Stillcrest, making it clear I’d noted her actions. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes fired, and she opened her mouth.

“Madinia.” Vicer neatly stepped between us. “What are you doing here?”

I turned my attention to him. His eyes were filled with warning.

I pulled my power back into me. It took longer than usual, a stubborn spark lingering in my palm, as if it, too, was disappointed that we wouldn’t be setting anything ablaze.

“I was sent. Because you didn’t reply to our messages.”

Vicer went still. His gaze slid to Stillcrest, and he was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was deadly. “You prevented me from receiving messages from our queen?”

Stillcrest’s face paled and then immediately flushed. “I prevented you from giving detailed information about my people. And she’s not my queen until she’s sitting onher throne with a crown on her head. Even then, she will have to prove herself worthy to rule us. My people are tired of their lives being dictated by royals.”

That was a reasonable point. And I would have believed her, if I hadn’t already watched her walk around this camp as if she wore a crown.

Vicer gave her a look of such disgust, Stillcrest dropped her eyes. She immediately snapped her gaze back to his, her cheeks heating. I was small enough to enjoy her discomfort.

Vicer’s eyes met mine. “Come with me.”

I followed him into the camp, weaving through tents in neat rows, all of them in various shades of earth-toned canvas. The camp blended seamlessly with the surroundings of the forest, and the hybrids who lived here wore various shades of greens and browns to evade prying eyes. Even with the directions Vicer had passed to us, it had been difficult to find. But Regner’s soldiers could simply use the process of elimination as they searched every inch of his kingdom. Eventually, they would find this camp, and all the camouflage in the world wouldn’t help them.

Several pairs of curious eyes turned toward us, but Vicer quickly led me to a tent situated on its own, near what looked like their armory. Paths weaved through the camp, while the air was thick with the mingled scents of campfire smoke, roasting meat, and pine.

“I know you brought the barrier down,” he said as we stepped inside the tent. It was sparse, with a small cot and one chair. He gestured for me to take it, and I shook my head.

“There are humans here who suddenly received an influx of power,” Vicer said. “Even Kaelin was forced to admit how incredible an achievement it was.”

I just shrugged. “Lorian and Prisca want to know the status here,” I said. “From what I can see, there hasn’t been any movement toward the Asric Pass.”

Kaelin likely had spies in this place, and I wouldn’t risk her learning that the hybrid heir was currently still unconscious.

Vicer pinched the bridge of his nose, his gray eyes glinting. “The hybrids we managed to get out of the city… most of them stopped here for food and rest, and then left in small groups, continuing their journey. My people set up hidden camps with food and water in various locations on the way to the pass. They’ll wait there for the signal to cross—once the soldiers Regner is hiding in the pass have been dispatched.”

That part of his plan made sense. It was brilliant, even. But…

“What about the people remaining in this camp?”

“I’m trying.” He opened his mouth, closed it. Frustration slid through his eyes.

“What is it?”

“Regner’s scouts have been drawing closer. Kaelin insists her people will kill any who discover the camp. But if the scouts don’t return to their commanders, more will be sent. These people are running out of time. But this is their home. They refuse to leave.”

Several children ran past the outside of our tent, laughing in the unrestrained way such children did. If Regner’s iron guards found this place, that laughter wouldend. Forever. I met Vicer’s eyes. “Here’s what we’re going to do.”

PRISCA

I was so very, very comfortable.