Page 133 of Queen of War and Ruin

“We’ll stop soon,” he whispers.

My cheeks burn. Thank the gods he can’t see that.

I don’t think he slept yesterday, after the sun rose and Petrys said we should all rest. Or, if he did, he didn’t sleep near me. I woke up when Gerard shook my shoulder, half expecting Zarek to be next to me. But he was standing by the horses, tightening the cinch on his horse’s saddle.

And why should that bother me? It’s not like we could have a conversation now, trying to weave our way through a dark forest with Petrys and Gerard arguing in our wake. What would we even talk about?

My jaw clenches so hard that my teeth ache. When was the last time we actually talked?

Was it when he yelled at me for standing up in the stables of Ethiria and letting the guards take me instead of finding everyone? Was it when he said he’d grant me a divorce? Or when he got drunk and cried in my arms and begged me not to leave him? Was it when he said he loves me? Or was it when he said there’s no longer any strategic value to our marriage?

Ebony stumbles again. I curse like it’s my fault, then reach down to pat her neck. Poor horses. They don’t like riding at night, and who can blame them?

“It’s getting lighter,” Gerard says from behind me. “We should stop soon.”

“Obviously,” Petrys snaps.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Gerard replies.

Zarek spins around, his eyes flashing under the gray sky.

“Shut the fuck up,” he snaps. “Both of you⁠—”

Gerard and Petrys both open their mouths like they’re about to disagree. I stand up in my stirrups; Ebony gives a little shake.

“I’ll find a place for us to sleep,” I announce. “Since it looks like none of you can be bothered.”

And then I tap Ebony’s side, and we spin toward the woods, leaving all of the men behind.

Chapter 67

Lilias

WATCH DUTY

Someone is shaking my shoulder. I try to pull away, to roll onto my side, but they don’t stop. I open my eyes, wince at the flood of bright light, and try to push the hand away.

“You’re the one who wanted to be woken up for watch duty,” Gerard whispers, his voice rough.

“Damnit,” I groan.

I push my sleeping roll down and force myself to sit up. My entire body aches, and my throat feels like it’s been packed with sand. I blink at the light that’s so rudely streaming through the branches, then at Gerard.

“I don’t think those assholes were going to wake you up,” he says, nodding toward the bushes.

I follow his gaze and see Petrys and, past him, another sleeping roll that must be Zarek.

He’s as far away from me as he can get. I swallow hard and try to shove that thought away. Gerard nods, then comes to his feet. He offers me his hand, and I take it.

“So, what do I do?” I whisper.

Gerard scratches the back of his neck. “Come here.”

I follow him out of the little grove of trees and to a mossy rock perched on the edge of a hill.

“Stay back here,” he says. “In the shade. Don’t be too obvious.”

I glance at the rock, then back at Gerard. He yawns. My hands twist together at my waist. I don’t want to sound like an idiot, but I don’t want to mess this up either.