Page 103 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“But we don’t know if he can even use his magic anymore?” I ask, and she nods. “All good points. We’ll discuss it with Tyr and then ask the others to meet with us. The heir of Heart has risen from the ashes despite every odd, and we can convince them to at least hear us out.”

Lor gives me a worried look, and I squeeze her shoulder.

“Where do we meet them?” Tristan asks.

“Somewhere kind of neutral?” Amya asks.

“No,” Lor says. “They need to see it for themselves.”

“See what?”

“That the magic of Heart has returned. Whatever happens with both Rion and Zerra affects them, too. No matter their personal feelings for me or our grandmother, they must help us or risk losing so much more.”

The corner of my mouth lifts up in a small smile. She’s breathtaking when she’s like this. All fierce determination and bravado. My queen who acted like a queen even when she was a far cry from one.

She looks at me. “Can you get a message to Etienne? Is there anywhere in Heart suitable for receiving the kings and queens of Ouranos?”

“I will right away,” I say. “I’m sure there’s something we can work with.”

“Okay,” Lor says with a firm tip of her jaw. “We ask them to meet us in one week. I don’t think we can afford much more time than that.”

“Agreed,” I say.

“We’ll see Cloris and find out what precautions are needed to complete the bond.”

“And hope that whatever she says is the truth?” Mael adds.

“Right,” I answer. “And isn’t impossible to execute.”

I see the uneasiness that flashes across Lor’s expression, and I lean over to press a kiss against her temple. We’re going to figure this out one way or another.

Don’t worry, Lor, I say through our bond. We’ll fix all of this.

She gives me a tight smile.

“So we have a plan,” she says, clearly trying to put on a brave face.

I just hope any of it works.

CHAPTER 38

LOR

Alow rumble rouses me from sleep as the room shakes. My eyes peel open, and the rumbling stops. Was I dreaming? I look at Nadir, who lies next to me, his face relaxed with slumber.

I sigh and roll back, staring up at the ceiling. After relaying everything I’d seen and learned, thanks to my mother, I didn’t miss the expressions on Tristan’s and Willow’s faces when they realized what had happened and how much they wished they could have seen her too.

They both looked like she’d died all over again, and I knew there was nothing I could say to make it hurt less. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be in their shoes. I’m not sure I would have recovered. I wish so much I could have given them that moment.

Another rumble shakes the room, harder this time, vibrating through the bed, and now I’m sure I’m not dreaming. I reach over and shake Nadir’s arm.

“Nadir, wake up,” I say. It takes a moment for his eyes to slide open, and he stares at me with a small smile on his face.

“What’s up, Lightning Bug?” he asks before he takes note of my expression. “What’s wrong?”

Another rumble shakes the room, and he sits up.

“What do you think that is?” I ask.