Page 99 of A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty

He moved to the side, blocking my way. “As your king, I forbid you to leave.”

Blood pounded in my ears. I leaned forward, into his space. “As your brother, you can go fuck yourself.”

An icy calm came over his face. “King overrules brother this time, Lorian.”

The betrayal was almost incomprehensible. He’d done this. He’d made it clear Prisca needed to bring something to the table in order to receive his help. Then he’d sent me away. He’d risked her life for his own games.

“Why?”

“I like your wildcat, Lorian. She’s brave and fierce and loyal, and all the other things you told me about her. But you also need to be honest with yourself. Your relationship is doomed. She’s the hybrid heir, and you’re the Bloodthirsty Prince, and even without that between you, how do you expect to have a future? At some point, your paths will diverge, and it may as well be now, before it’s more painful later.”

“So you wereprotectingme then, were you?” I let out a bitter laugh. “How did you convince her to go along with your plan?”

“I reminded her that you’d already committed treason once by not following directions.”

And my little wildcat had reacted just as Conreth knew she would. She’d left to protect me.

Something in the region of my heart melted. It wouldn’t stop me from roaring at her just as soon as I found her alive.

Several guards stepped close to my brother. I smiled at them, and one of them reached for the hilt of his sword, his hand shaking.

“I’m leaving,” I said.

Conreth’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

“I’ve never asked you for anything. I’ve protected you, Emara, and this kingdom since I was old enough to swing a sword. And the first chance you had, you lied to me, terrified Prisca, and separated us.”

The blood drained from his face. “I won’t let you leave, Lorian.”

I let out a low laugh. “You believe you can stop theBloodthirsty Prince,brother? How many men do you have who will line up to die? Not the guard to your right. He’s barely holding his bladder.”

Color swept up the guard’s face, before an icy look from Conreth made it drain away once more.

“You would make an enemy of your king?”

“No. But you will listen carefully when I tell you this—if you try to keep me from Prisca again, it will become your biggest regret.”

Was that true hurt in his eyes? I couldn’t even tell anymore.

His expression turned blank once more. “You have three weeks, Lorian. And we will discuss this once you have returned.”

I stalked toward the stables. An endless fury swept through me, even as a line of cold sweat ran down my spine. She was fine. I would know if she weren’t. Somehow, I would know.

“Lorian.”

Rythos strode toward me, his expression tense. “I know you’re not trying to leave us behind.”

My breath shuddered from my lungs, and I attempted to think clearly.

If I was taking Prisca through the fae lands alone, I wanted Rythos and the others with me. I was powerful, but even I could be overpowered if enough wildkin surrounded and attacked us. Around half the time, it was possible to travel through wildkin territory and merely feel their eyes on you. The other half, you would end up fighting for your life simply because the ancient creatures were bored.

“Tell Cavis he doesn’t need to—”

“I’m coming,” he said from behind me. I turned. He stood next to Galon and Marth, his daughter in his arms. Sybella slid me a narrow-eyed look but took the baby from him. “Bring Prisca back safe,” she said.

* * *

As much as I hated to admit it to myself, traveling wasn’t the same without Lorian. Conreth had advised us to head east, staying within the fae lands as long as possible until we reached the Asric Pass. We’d left Tibris, Demos, Vicer, Ameri, and Madinia close to the fae border, and I’d memorized their faces—some part of me wondering if I’d ever see them again.

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