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Lorian smirked, his sword easily parrying Eadric’s.And as he pushed the other man’s sword away, he reversed the movement, carving his blade through Eadric’s thigh.

Eadric howled.

“I willbreakyou.”

Lorian gestured for him to attack again. Eadric hesitated. Glancing around at the soldiers watching, he launched at Lorian once more.

Lorian raked his sword along Eadric’s ribs. Another shallow wound. But I knew from experience just how much it would sting.

“I don’t just mean physically. I’ll break your mind. Break your spirit. It’s the least you deserve.”

Lorian glanced at me. Whatever he saw on my face made his expression crease with concern. Eadric took advantage of his distraction and swung his sword, opening a wound of his own along Lorian’s sword arm.

“There’s no limit to the pain you will suffer. The pain your lover will suffer. We will heal you again and again and again, and it will be your mind that breaks before your body. It’s far more enjoyable that way.”

Lorian was moving. I heard Eadric scream. But I was back in that cell. And Eadric was pointing at Cavis.

“Hurt him. Hurt him so badly, she has no choice but to tell us what we want to know.”

“I don’t like when my time is wasted. So that little lie is going to cost you.”

“If you’re going to act like an animal, you’ll be treated like one.”

And then Cavis was moving toward him. His expression peaceful. Filled with acceptance. “Tell them I love them, Prisca.”

I choked on a sob, and it was enough to bring me back to the present. I couldn’t fall apart here. Not in front of the people I was hoping to lead.

So, I raised my head and watched. And slowly, methodically, Lorian took Eadric apart.

Whoever said vengeance didn’t help was lying. Watching Eadric stumble and gasp was delicious. When his eyes widened and he realized he was about to die, something within me began to heal.

It wouldn’t bring Cavis back. But all of us could look his daughter in the eye and tell her the men who had killed her father were dead. And that they had suffered.

But Lorian’s expression had turned cold. Remote. Something within me ached. “Finish him, Lorian,” I said.

His blade was a blur. And Eadric’s head rolled from his body.

Exhausted, I raised my gaze.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” Lorian’s voice echoed over the crowd.

He dropped to one knee, bowing his head.

And so did everyone else.

22

Lorian

Lifting my head, I swept my gaze around the hybrids. All of them had fallen to their knees, bowing to Prisca. No one moved.

My eyes found hers.

She stood in the middle of the arena. Her face was bruised, one eye swollen. Her skin was concerningly pale, the blood splattered across it serving as the singular splash of color. Her lip gave the tiniest tremble, and for the barest moment, she looked so fucking lonely, I wanted to scoop her into my arms and carry her out of here.

Instead, I steeled my spine and slowly bowed my head again.

“Your Majesty,” I repeated.