The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom, #2)

by Danielle L. Jensen

She could not change the past, but she damn well intended to shape the future.

“Lara.” Keris rubbed his chin. “She’s my sister, you know.”

“Not my half sister. We have the same mother, too.”

Sarhina stepped forward, her brow furrowed. “Auntie?”

Nana huffed out a breath and then spat into the corner as she abandoned them.

“God, but she’s ornery,”

“How did you tolerate her f...

“By keeping my contact with h...

“I needed to sneak out one night, so I dosed her with a laxative. I had hours of freedom while she w...

“Just because I see the clouds in the sky doesn’t mean I can predict where the lightning will strike.”

“I’m not helping you attack my own people, you Maridrinian prick.” The woman snarled the words, and through the trees, Lara could just make out Aren’s cousin. Taryn wasn’t dead.

gone. Aren had left her.

scream tore from her throat, and Lara dropped to the ground, hammering her fists into the dirt in a fruitless attempt to ease her anger. Her frustration. Her hurt. What was the point? Why was she even trying? She wasn’t wanted here—not by the Ithicanians and not by Aren. So why should she stay?

Her father stood on the deck of the ship, arms crossed and eyes fixed on his target, no fear showing on his face.

It's about time for you to kill the mf

“You are a traitor,” he hissed. “To your family. And to your people.” “No, Father,” she whispered. “That’s what they’ll say about you.”

Finally !!!

“No! I’m not leaving you.” He slid an arm through the bars, wrapping it around her waist. She flinched as fingers pressed against the wound on her side, saw the way his face tightened as he realized how deep it was. Turning his head, he shouted, “Where the hell are those tools?” But Lara knew they’d never make it in time. Reaching through the bars, she caught hold of his face. “Look at me. Listen to me.” He resisted. Like he knew what she was going to say. But then he met her gaze. “I’m sorry.” A wave hammered her in the back, forcing her to pause while she fought the current. “I’m so sorry for all the hurt that I caused you. All the hurt I caused Ithicana. And I need you to know that I’d die a thousand times over if there were a way to undo it.” “Lara—” She shook her head violently, because she didn’t want his forgiveness. She didn’t deserve it. “My father is dead. He’s dead, and he can’t hurt you or Ithicana anymore. Keris will be king, and there will be a chance for Maridrina and Ithicana to be allies in truth. For the first time, Ithicana has a chance at a better future. But it needs you to make it happen. Don’t sacrifice that for me.” “But I need you.” He pulled her tight against the metal, his forehead pressing against hers through the bars. “I love you, and I’ve never stopped. Not once, not even when I should have.”