Page 53 of The Lost Nation

My salvation.

“W-what does that mean?” I asked hoarsely.

Xana grinned so wide that it split her face in half. “It means you're stuck with me.”

She launched herself into my arms and together we tumbled back to the ground.

Chapter 23

Wren

Benedict was going to lay siege to the demon fortress soon. I could tell by the tenseness of his shoulders, and in how Kieran would look up as if to say something, then shake his head and look away.

I knew as soon as Ronan reported back, they’d likely move out.

Benedict was within his right as king to do what he felt was best—after all, Thad hadkidnappedXana and all the children. But still...I had to do something. I couldn’t just let Thad go. I still cared about him.

That was the reason I found myself back on the continent, staring up at the imposing fortress. A flicker of unease swept through me as I glanced at the front gate,recently scrubbed clean. I could still see the body of the demon who'd attacked me hanging in my mind's eye. I don't I'd ever be able to erase it.

Why was I so hesitant? Thad had done that to protect me, after all.

Because he rejected you. He doesn’t want you.You're afraid of not being wanted. Of not being needed.

I shook the thoughts away, refusing to be deterred. It didn’t matter how awkward this was, or how shameful it felt to come back after being rejected. I had to warn him. I had to see Xana, and to give Thad a chance to release her before anyone died.

“Ah. It’s you.” Thad shifted into being in front of me, his expression flat. Not the greeting I had hoped for.

I opened my mouth to speak, but wasn't sure how to start. Not yet. Thad cocked his head to the side, noting my tense muscles and stern expression.

“You seem on edge. Aren’t your three matessatisfyingyou enough?”

My jaw dropped, and I welcomed the anger. Anger was easy. Anger hid the fear, and gave me strength. “You attacked a defenseless city!” I shot back.

Thad crossed his arms over his chest, and glared at me. “Did I? Or did I force a queen to accept her heritage, and make her the protector of her own people? Two birds, one stone."

My reality came to a screeching halt. “What?” I spat back.

Thad rolled his eyes, and leaned back against his own iron gates. “Aldur wascollapsingwith fighting nobles and aspoiled childon the throne. I forced her to grow up, and now her people kiss the ground she walks on."

I blinked.Was Thad actually claiming he’d attacked Aldur tohelpit?It didn't make sense.

“Ok, but what about the children?" I asked. "Youstolethem from the witches, who had been caring for them like their own flesh and blood for months!”

Thad’s lips flattened into a line so tight they nearly disappeared.“Those witches are likelyrelievedI took them off their hands. They don’t understand how their magick works, or how to deal with them. We do. Have you actuallyaskedthe witches how they feel about it? Now that the children are gone? Now that their injuries are healing?”

I wanted to smack that smug, know-it-all look off his face, but instead I blushed. Because I hadn’t asked them. I hadn’t done anything. I just assumed I knew.

Urgh, it was irritating how he always managed to be right. He was the opposite of Benedict that way—at knowing what to do, and how to get people to do it.

“You weresacrificingthem before!” I insisted.

Chaotic white magick sparked along his body, and I took a step back.“Isacrificedno one."He growled."Even the demons here are not to blame.Severnsacrificed them, and he's dead. You killed him."

And I was damn proud of that, too. “I’m supposed to believe that you’re turning Severn’s former stronghold into some sort of demon daddy daycare?” I said wryly.

Thad's eyes shuttered, and he looked down at his claws. “Something like that, yeah.”

I doubted I would get much more out of him on the topic. “I’m not leaving without Xana.” I said instead.

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