“And I’m not going anywhere,” he says. “If anyone can survive this, it’s you and me. You and I are forever. We are inevitable, Lor. I’m the Aurora Prince, and you are the fucking Heart Queen. This son of a bitch will not stop us.”

He tips my head back and kisses me deeply. I feel the strength of his words and his conviction. The entire crowd breaks into another excited frenzy that’s impossible to ignore, their voices swelling around us in a way that only makes me kiss him harder. Then he touches his forehead to mine, and we breathe in each other’s space.

“Then let’s do this,” I whisper. “You and me. Forever. No matter what it takes.”

“That’s my girl,” he says, sweeping a thumb over my cheek. “My fearless, brilliant, astonishing queen.”

A second later, a rumbling chorus of low growls draws our attention up.

We pull apart and spin around, pressing back to back, when six of the largest bears I’ve ever seen emerge from the trees.

CHAPTER 66

NADIR

“What do we do?” Lor asks as we circle. I’m no stranger to grizzlies—plenty live in the Beltza Mountains—but these things are monstrous. They close in around us, their eyes hungry with longing. They pause as if giving us a chance to gather ourselves, probably so they can enjoy their victory more thoroughly.

“Normally, you’re supposed to shout at them when you encounter bears in the wild,” I say. “It usually scares them away.”

Lor snorts. “Sounds like a great plan.”

She peers over her shoulder at me. I see fear in her eyes but also determination. This queen, who was always a queen, is the bravest person I’ve ever met.

We look away, and I scan our surroundings to take stock of our assets. If I’m lucky, I could fire off at least two or maybe three arrows before they’re on us. But it’s been a while since I’ve used a bow, and my aim is rusty.

“Hide in the quicksand?” Lor jokes, and I toss her a rueful smile.

They’ll go for me first.

Lor doesn’t give any indication that she’s heard me as she blows out a heavy breath.

So I’ll just fight them off with my bare hands, then?

If anyone can do it, it’s you, Lightning Bug.

Her shoulders jerk, and I can tell she wants to laugh, but her face remains expressionless. Our survival depends on keeping this connection a secret from Herric.

I’ll fire arrows at the one in front of me. When the others charge, you fight them off with your dagger and the sword. Aim for their eyes and mouths.

We continue circling as I slowly pull out an arrow and notch it before peering over my shoulder. Lor holds up her weapons, gripping them in her fists.

“Ready?” I ask, and she nods.