Page 62 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“What happened?” I asked, pointing toward the wounds.

“A mission. Happy?”

“You’ve been doing a shit job at cleaning it.” I nodded toward the small table lined with various swabs and some weird liquid. “Why aren’t you healing like normal?”

“Celestial healing, while fast, still takes time. To be fair, my side was completely ripped open. What you’re seeing is a vast improvement. So this.” He waved, wincing slightly. “This is good.”

“Ripped open?” I practically squeaked. “By what?”

“Those who disagree with Nismera’s rule. Those that won’t bend.”

“Oh.”

Vincent groaned as he reached for another one of those medical swabs. “Go back to bed, Camilla. I don’t need pity from you or anyone.”

“I didn’t come for pity. I just wanted a friend. Back on Rashearim, we used to talk, and I miss it. I don’t have anyone else here to talk to.”

And it was true.

He glanced at me, nothing but cold, hard steel in his gaze. “We are not on the remains of Rashearim, and I’m not a good friend to anyone, Camilla. Do yourself a favor and find another.”

My chest hurt for him, but a part of me knew he was right. We weren’t friends because the truth of the matter was I didn’t trust him. He was ruthless and had betrayed his whole family for Nismera. He would tell Nismera anything I told him. His loyalty was to her, always her. Everyone else was second best.

I wanted to tell him my nightmares, to talk like we had on the remains of Rashearim. It felt pointless, but a part of me, one I couldn’t name, told me how wrong I was. No matter what he said or did, I knew there was something more to the situation. I wanted to find out, to break that damn wall, but he was right. It was useless. I’d only hurt myself in the end, more than I already hurt. He wasn’t my friend. He never was. I was only fooling myself.

I had no one, and I had done that to myself.

“You’re right.” I forced a cold smile and turned to leave the room. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”

I could have sworn I heard the bed groan as if he stood up. I could have sworn I felt his hand reach for me, but he didn’t stop me.

I paused at the door. “Llewir’s eye is great for healing deep wounds. I am not sure you all have that animal here, but a substitute should suffice. Maybe ask the healer.” I closed his door behind me and could have sworn I heard Vincent whisper a thank you.

TWENTY-THREE

DIANNA

River Bend definitely fit its name, with numerous twisting rivers all converging at the center of town and flowing out toward the coast. There were so many boats carrying shipments and cargo of all types. A shit ton of fishermen milled about, and the sounds of bustling life came from the small village. Nismera seemed to have sent a handful of soldiers to every thriving city, which was good and bad for us.

“If you hold him too long, he will no longer be able to breathe,” Reggie said from behind me. One of Nismera’s soldiers flailed his arms. I sighed and lifted his head from the water.

Miska had made herself scarce once we’d found a few of Nismera’s soldiers and dragged them to the forest clearing. She had said she was off to find some sort of plant, but I knew she wished to avoid the bloodshed.

“He literally has gills on the side of his neck,” I said to Reggie as the soldier spluttered and coughed.

“Those are vents, my queen. Not capable of breathing underwater.”

I rolled my eyes and yanked him up with a little shake. His blue skin was almost purple as he gasped for air, his vents working overtime.

“Oh.” I shrugged. “They looked like gills to me.”

The soldier glared at me with four thick-rimmed eyes before looking at Reggie. He rambled in a language I didn’t know. Reggie responded, and the guy started to tremble. He looked at me, shook his head, and then looked back at Reggie. He struggled in my grip, trying to get away from me before speaking so quickly I was afraid Reggie wouldn’t be able to translate.

“What’s he saying?”

“With all due respect, he thinks you’re a psychotic bitch,” Reggie said and cleared his throat.

My fingers tightened around the armor in my hands as I stared at Reggie. “Obviously, but does he know where the caravan is going?”

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