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“Mama.”
I closed my eyes and fought not to hurl my book through the window.
“Mama?”
Closer now.
I opened my eyes to find him staring up at me, his tiny, round face filled with joy. He held out his arms in the way such children did, expecting to be lifted onto my lap.
I leaned down.
“I am not your mother,” I hissed.
His face scrunched up. He opened his mouth and wailed.
Someone let out a choked gasp, and I raised my gaze. The same dark-haired nanny as that first day. She was responsible for this. Had been responsible every time.
I would see her dead.
Our eyes met. Her mouth was open, expression horrified. As ifIwere the monster.
Sabiumwas the one who was the monster.Hehad done this to me.
Launching herself forward, she pulled the child into her arms. He wound his arms around her, pressed his little face to her neck and sobbed.
Bitterness exploded in my mouth.
Turning, she hurried away. The child lifted his head, his cheeks streaked with tears.
He didn’t wave.
CHAPTERTEN
“Isuggest you talk to him, Prisca.”
Galon’s words played through my mind, and I absently waved at Lina as I walked toward my tent. I’d seen something vulnerable in Lorian’s eyes when I’d asked him about Crawyth. And the moment I’d made it clear I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—believe him, he’d shut down.
I couldn’t exactly blame him.
But I didn’t know where to go from here.
I missed him. Missed his hands on my body. Missed his sarcastic humor. Missed simply talking to him.
I was still furious with him. And yet, my instincts urged me to hear him out.
Deep down, I was afraid the real reason I was so angry was because I’d let Lorian in, and his deception had proven I was still that sheltered village girl who didn’t have any true understanding of the world. It had proven I still hadn’t learned my lesson. That I was naive, gullible.
I needed to push those kinds of thoughts out of my mind. Soon, I would go after the hourglass, and Lorian’s brother would likely send him on some other dangerous excursion. As much as the thought of separating hurt, it was for the best.
The camp was quiet at this time of the day, most people grabbing dinner or chatting in groups. Asinia and I had found a private spot to wash in the river, enjoying the cold water on our overheated skin after training. She’d spent the time naming the best-looking men in the camp—both fae and hybrid—and for a while, it was as if nothing had changed and we were still in our village.
I stepped into my tent, and my instincts screamed at me. My hand dropped to the hilt of my knife, and it was immediately snatched from my grip.
“You’ll have to be faster than that, wildcat.”
My heart hammered in my chest. “Gods, Lorian. What are you doing here?”
He loomed over me, and yet my traitorous body wanted to snuggle into his chest.
