Page 87 of Queen of Legends and Lies
Sterling’s presence is at my back, steady and strong. His ice shields us, even as my fire rages on. Together, we are the calm amid the devastation.
The winds hit the distant wall and die. The flames gutter out. And in their wake, we find a grim tableau.
Xenon smacks the far wall, blood streaming from his nose. His eyes, when they find mine, glitter with pure venom.
The drachen have been reduced to splattered ink blots with no useful forms. Shriveled husks scattered across the cavern floor like broken dolls.
In the ringing silence, I hear Sterling’s ragged breathing.
We won. But gods, at what cost?
And the real war hasn’t even started.
Sterling rounds on me, his face a mask of fury. “What were you thinking? You could’ve gotten us both killed!”
I bristle, my own anger rising to meet his. “I was thinking about saving our lives!” I snap back. “In case you didn’t notice, we were a little outnumbered.”
“That’s not the point. You can’t just?—”
“Can’t what?” I cut him off, my voice razor sharp. “Can’t do my duty as queen? Can’t protect my people, my family?” I drift into his space, eyes flashing. “I am the queen of Tirene, Sterling. I will do whatever I must to keep us safe. And if you can’t accept that…” I let the words hang heavy with implication.
Sterling’s jaw clenches. For a moment, I think he might actually argue.
But then, with a short, sharp motion, he shakes his head. “We need to go. Before reinforcements arrive.” He grabs my hand before turning in midair and hauling me back toward the exit.
My relief wars with the sting of his disapproval, and a petty part of me almost wishes for another attack.
Anything to stave off the impending reckoning.
Chapter Thirty
A furious Sterling leads us out of the winding cave tunnels, his grip on my hand almost painfully tight. Mercifully, the trip back to open air takes less time than the one in.
We emerge onto a grassy hill overlooking the ocean. I collapse to my knees, overwhelmed with relief to be back above ground. My fingers dig into the cool, damp earth as I inhale the salty sea breeze. While the air here is infinitely sweeter than in the dank underground, I still can’t shake my apprehension.
Maybe because I know Xenon is still back there somewhere.
Tanwen and Dame wait, crouched on the hilltop and trying to blend in. High overhead, Kaida glides, keeping an eye on our surroundings to ensure no one approaches. Earlier, they transmitted alarm and fear through our connection, but now that I’m topside again, they seem calmer. I didn’t mean to scare them by staying out of reach for so long.
At least someone here believes in me.
Sterling barks at me to mount up, jerking his head toward Dame. I hurry to climb onto her back, not wanting to further provoke his ire. Now isn’t the time or place to argue, and I know that’s what’s coming as soon as we’re out of danger.
Tanwen and Dame take flight, their powerful wings carrying us up and away from that horrid labyrinth. Kaida joins us in the sky for a lengthy, quiet ride back home.
It’s only when Dame lands on a familiar stretch of beach on the southern border of Tirene that I realize how long we were trapped down there. The sun is just peeking over the horizon, the early dawn light glinting off the rolling waves.
As soon as my boots touch sand, Sterling rounds on me again, brown eyes molten with anger. “What were you thinking? Going off alone without a word to anyone?”
He paces in agitated strides, hands cutting through the air to punctuate his words. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him this unhinged, this emotional. And in those cases, I wasn’t the target of his fury.
“I had to do something! We needed answers, and I thought?—”
“No, you didn’t think! Not about the consequences or the risks.” He steps closer, towering over me. “Not about those who love you and would be devastated if anything happened.”
Underneath the anger, I hear the fear, the anguish in his voice. Oh, gods. In trying to protect him, I’ve only caused him more pain.
My vision blurs with unshed tears. “I’m sorry. I never meant to worry you. I just wanted to keep you safe.”
