Page 17 of A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty

“Let’s get one thing straight, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t call me that.” She whirled, shoving her hands into my chest. I caught her as she rebounded off my body, hitting the ship’s railing.

“Thatwas embarrassing,” Few things made me feel alive like seeing Prisca in a rage.

Her cheeks flushed, those amber eyes burned, and I almost groaned. My entire body turned hard, and it took everything in me not to strip her shirt over her head and show her just how incredible sex would be when she was in this mood.

I clamped my hand around the back of her neck, shoving down the urge to drag her to me. To make herlisten.

I’d known better, and yet I’d allowed myself to be consumed by her anyway.Thiswas always going to be our reality.

“Why would you do this?” she asked.

The question burrowed deep into my chest. I clenched my teeth. “Figure it out.”

She let out a hollow laugh. “Because you need me cooperative. So I’ll work with your brother. You only brought me with you becausehewants me.”

I wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled. Instead, I leaned even closer, my hand tightening on the back of her neck.

“You can tell yourself whatever makes it easiest for you to hate me, wildcat. But it was real. All of it.”

She was quiet for a long moment. Finally, she swallowed, glancing away. “I don’t understand how we can possibly sneak into the city.”

Fresh pain stabbed through me at the change of subject. I’d known the moment I saw the terror on her face at the city gates that she would never accept me. But some small part of me had…

“Lorian?”

Prisca’s voice was hesitant. Clearly, she didn’t appreciate admitting she was out of her depth. But she was willing to admit ignorance so she could learn.

“The Gromalian capital lies behind an island which has created a natural harbor. But the island is large enough that while the choke point helps secure the capital, the narrow passage also impedes access. It means the city is limited when it comes to trade, as larger merchant ships need to use alternative routes or smaller ports farther north and south.”

“So Thobirea would be almost impossible for a fleet to take from the sea.”

I nodded. “It’s why the Gromalian king has been able to stay out of the conflict with Eprotha for so long. Regner can’t use his ships to take the capital. If he decides to wage war, he will be forced to march his people across the border.”

A faint line appeared between her brows as she frowned, clearly storing the information. “What does that mean for us?”

“It means Daharak’s ships will also be too large for us to dock near the capital. So she must know of a hidden cove or inlet we can use, and another distraction ready to buy us time. And when the Gromalian king learns what she did, she will wave that coin at him. Whether she has to use it…” I shrugged. “That is between them.”

“Why would she risk losing a favor from the king for a blood vow with me?”

I turned and watched her. “Clearly, she believes you’ll be more helpful when it comes to whatever plans she is making next.”

Prisca winced. But she glanced at her aunt, who was standing on the other side of the deck, watching Daharak’s ships surrounding ours. “How certain are you that Telean will be safe?”

“The pirate queen wouldn’t have risked dying an excruciating death if she thought there was even a tiny chance that your aunt would be at risk.”

Her teeth worried at her lower lip, and I cupped her cheek without thinking. Surprisingly, she allowed it.

“I can’t lose her, Lorian.”

This was the first time we’d actually talked for more than a few moments without Prisca stalking away. Gods, I’d missed it.

“You won’t, wildcat. She’ll be waiting for you with my brother.” My jaw clenched at the thought of turning her over to Conreth.

The reminder of my brother made Prisca stiffen. And I wasn’t at all surprised when she merely nodded, turned, and walked back toward her aunt.

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