Page 164 of A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty

“Because you respect me and you know if I wanted, I could leave you at any time.”

“Perhaps I would simply follow you.”

“Lorian.”

She looked so serious. I hated that this world seemed designed to push us apart. But I had to trust that with the hourglass in her hands, she could keep herself safe while I went after the amulet.

I sighed. The reality was, while Conreth had given me three weeks, he hadn’t needed to add an “or else” to that threat. Because while he may not be able to punish me, hecouldpunish Galon and the others. He could force them to take the most dangerous missions, could ensure Cavis was continually away from his family. He could separate us for years if he felt like it. He’d done it before when I’d displeased him, and that time, Marth had almost died.

Fury burned in gut. I knew what Rythos and the others would say if they learned just how Conreth had leashed me over the years. But if not for each of them standing beside me, I would have become utterly irredeemable by now.

My gaze found Prisca’s. This war would separate us again and again. As much as it felt almost impossible, I had to trust that she would stay alive. She was clever and cunning, and she had people around her who would help keep her safe.

“Lorian?”

“I’m thinking.”

Her mouth twitched.

I knew that stubborn expression. This was a threshold she would not cross.

Choices.

I had to do this. Not just for Prisca, but for my brothers. For my people. For the war. This was our chance to deal Regner a blow he wouldn’t soon recover from—especially after the loss of the hourglass.

“Fine, wildcat. As soon as you have that hourglass in your hands, I will go after the amulet.”

It wasn’t triumph in her eyes. No, she looked as if she was already mourning. As if she already missed me. No one had ever looked at me like that before.

I caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “As soon as I have that amulet, I will come for you. I promise.”

She took a deep breath. “I’m holding you to that promise.”

“I told you, wildcat. I’ll always find you.”

* * *

The caves swallowed us whole, a beast of stone and shadow with dark pockets even our light orbs couldn’t counter. The stony path beneath our boots twined and coiled as we trudged along it, continually tripping those of us without natural fae grace.

Demos cursed as he stumbled.

“Watch your step,” Asinia muttered, and whatever he snarled back was too low for me to hear.

We’d found a group of Regner’s guards at the entrance we’d planned to use. After several moments of hissed deliberation, we’d decided to use my power instead of slaughtering them.

There was no point letting Regner know we were here just yet—although it was only a matter of time before he learned of our presence.

The Drakoryx had refused to step one paw into the caves. Since he’d had no problem trotting down the tunnel near the hybrid kingdom, his refusal was disconcerting, to say the least.

“If there was ever a time that we needed him, it’s now,” Demos had growled.

I had to admit, I would’ve appreciated having Vyntharwith us. The caves were…eerie.

Even the air seemed ancient, holding on to the whispers of those who’d attempted to navigate the caves before us. More than once, we’d found a collection of bones hidden in some corner—someone who’d gotten lost, broken an ankle, starved to death.

Something glinted on the wall in front of me, and I squinted.

A hand wrapped around the back of my cloak and pulled me backward. I let out an embarrassing squeak.

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