Page 147 of Reign

“And then Regina just…” His voice trailed off as he brought a hand to his neck.

“She did what?” Bronwyn pressed.

I exhaled, shaking my head in disbelief. “She just—”

Before I could finish, a faint knock at the door interrupted me.

A wave of dread seized my chest as I glanced toward Fitzroy—the thought of Regina lurking on the other side made me lightheaded.

He moved cautiously, easing the door open just enough to peer into the corridor.

“Ah.” He sighed. “Come in.”

Fitzroy swung the door wider, allowing Elizebeth, Mabina, and Isobel to enter.

“She’s in shock,” Isobel said, guiding the wide-eyed Mabina to the bedstead.

“Regina’s utterly insane,” I mumbled under my breath.

Elizebeth tutted sharply. “Do you think we don’t already know that?” Her voice was harsh yet hushed.

Moving to the mirror, she performed a healing incantation; slowly, the deep laceration on her arm closed and the cuts on her face faded.

“Watch your tongue,” Fitzroy snapped in my defense. “It’s not Niamh’s fault you’ve all indulged Regina’s fantasies.”

“You’ve seen what happens to anyone who defies her rules,” Isobel countered, unshed tears brimming in her eyes.

She was right. Herla had dared to remind Regina that she wasn’t the true queen of Annwn—a mistake that cost him his life.

“Yet you’ve all chosen to stay on the Isle,” Fitzroy remarked.

Elizebeth tutted again as she moved to stand beside me. “If we could, we would’ve left many moons ago.”

“Mabina could have flown to another kingdom to secure an alliance—as I have,” Fitzroy suggested.

Mabina shot him a tearful glare, fury blazing in her eyes.

“She cannot fly,” Isobel murmured, resting a comforting hand on Mabina’s shoulder. “None of the fairies can.”

Fitzroy huffed exasperatedly. “Why not?”

Mabina glanced upward to meet his eye. “When Regina arrived on the Isle, she stripped me and my people of flight—she clipped our wings. Now, all fae are pinioned from birth,” she cried, her voice breaking as Isobel shushed her.

“Quiet!” Elizebeth whispered, her gaze flicking toward the door.

Turning back, she continued steadily, “If we had our own army, we could stand against Regina. Her strength lies in ogres and goblins—if we had sufficient manpower, we could destroy her.”

“Fitzroy has an army in Cambas,” I said, turning toward him. “They may currently fight for King James, but if you promised them an end to the war and prosperity, I believe they’d swear loyalty to you.”

Fitzroy furrowed his brow in deep thought—as if contemplating my words.

“Do you really believe the soldiers would abandon their king?” Elizebeth asked, a hint of optimism lacing her voice.

I nodded, knowing how tired the men were of fighting.

“The fairies and elves will support you,” Mabina stated. “I’ll tell Regina that I’m heading to the woodland to prepare the fae for battle. She won’t suspect our true intentions until it’s far too late—I want that witch dead.”

“If we prevail, I’d be in charge of Lyonesse,” Fitzroy muttered, testing the idea aloud.