Page 78 of The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom 2)

She tilted her head to look up at him. “You’re quoting him?”

“More or less.”

“The heirs to the greatest enemies in the world are allies,” Lara mused. “I wonder how they met.”

“I’m sure it’s quite the story. And equally sure neither of them will tell us any of it.”

They stood together in silence, the last vestiges of the sun’s glow disappearing on the horizon, the cloudless sky above soon sparkling with stars. The wind grew cooler, and Lara shivered, her bare arms prickling with goose bumps. “How long will it take for us to get to Nerastis?”

“With these winds, three days. It’s a fast ship.”

Three days.

Her eyes burned, and knowing she needed to say it before she lost her nerve, Lara blurted out, “That’s when I’m going to leave you and Jor. I’ve done everything I can for you, and for me to go to Ithicana with you would be a mistake.”

He sighed. “I know.”

She held her breath, waiting for him to argue with her. Waiting for him to tell her that leaving would be a mistake. But he only pulled her into his arms and said, “I wish things could be different.”

Hot tears spilled onto her cheeks. “But they can’t.”

She felt him press his face against her hair. “I need you to know that I forgive you, Lara. That I—” He broke off, clearing his throat. “I should go back. They’ll be wondering where I am.”

She nodded, unable to speak. Unable to say a word as he let go of her and went back inside. But in her head, the same phrase repeated over and over again.

I love you.

44

Aren

Every daythat passed made him one step closer to returning to Ithicana.

And one step closer to letting Lara go.

It was made easier in that he, Zarrah, and Jor closeted themselves away in the captain’s quarters discussing strategy, specifically how to take Southwatch with the least amount of Valcottan losses, while Lara chose to remain on deck in the fresh air.

But he knew her reasons had nothing to do with seasickness and everything to do with her distancing herself from him.

It hurt. Hurt so badly that there were moments he felt like he could hardly breathe knowing that it was a matter of hours until she’d walk away from him and that he’d likely never see her again.

And on top of that hurt was fear because Aren knew where she intended to go. Just as he knew that he had no power to stop her.

“So this is Nerastis.” Lara stood next to him at the rail, watching as the ship crept past the enormous city. “It looks pretty at night.”

“Don’t let all the lights fool you—it’s a shithole,” Zarrah answered. “Half of it is burned. Half of it is rubble. It’s full of filthy drinking establishments, louse-ridden brothels, and dens of disrepute that cater to every possible desire or addiction. The only individuals you’ll find within its wall are those being paid to fight over it and those who are too poor to leave.”

And yet we can’t stop fighting over it.Aren wondered if Lara heard Zarrah’s unspoken words as clearly as he did.

“We’ll get as close to the coast on the Maridrinian side as we can, and then I’ll row you to shore,” Zarrah said. “And then you’re on your own.”

The last was for the benefit of the sailors and soldiers around him, for the moment they parted ways was the moment things began.

“General,” the captain called softly, wary of Maridrinian patrols. “We’re lowering sails and readying the longboat. Are you still certain you wish to row them to shore yourself?”

“Quite.”

No one on the ship spoke as they climbed into the small boat, which was lowered into the water, Jor taking the oars.

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