Page 106 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

My traitorous heart leaped at the voice I’d longed to hear. He came. Despite all that happened, he came when I needed him most.

“Come for your whore?” Orson sneered. Metal scraped against stone, setting my teeth on edge. “Don’t think our emperor won’t hear about this.”

A clash of swords rang in the air beyond the illusion, accompanied by grunts, the shuffling of feet, and scrapes on stone.

“Fool! I’ll rut her over your corpse,” Orson yelled.

Lucien’s trees blocked all sight of their scuffle, and the sounds were not enough to discern advantage.I must do something. If Orson wins this duel…

I yelped as orange flame licked through the illusion of trees. The heat tickled my skin.

My bruised body ached in protest as I pushed to my feet. I lurched toward the thick trunks surrounding me like a cage, but my mind rebelled, seeing a tree as real as any that grew outdoors. I could almost feel the rough bark under my fingertips. No wonder men went mad from the illusions Lucien wrought on the battlefield.

A heavy thud hit the ground, accompanied by a groan I couldn’t distinguish.

My heart constricted in terror.

“No!” I leaped through the trees.

The forest vanished.

Strong arms caught me as I stumbled.

I didn’t look, didn’t think, as I pulled the thin blade sheathed at the man’s side. With a twist of my body, I had the point of the blade under the chin of the captain before me.

“Ilya.”

Lucien’s voice broke the dam of emotions I’d held back. The knife in my hand wobbled. “Lucien.” Tears streamed down my face. Relief, but also hurt. “You…you let them take me.”

His chin raised as the point pushed against his helm.

“I did. I couldn’t stop them, but I’m here now.” His gaze searched me inside and out.

“You came.”

“Almost too late. I…”

I dropped the blade. It clattered to the ground near Orson’s prone form as Lucien pulled me into his arms. The wounds on my body made themselves known again, throbbing with pain.

I’d betrayed him, and he still came.

“There’s so much to tell you, but we must get out of here. Now.”

“Is he…”

“With any luck, he will be soon.”

My lips thinned. “Where’s that dagger, I’ll—”

“We have to get out of the castle.” Lucien grabbed my hand and tugged me the other way.

I gaped as I followed him down the corridor, ignoring the protests of my body.Out of the castle.“We’re running?”

A huff of laughter shook his chest. “Or face the execution block.”

Because of me. Because of what I’d done. It wasn’t just my life I’d risked, but so many more.

His controlled expression broke as he looked back at me over one shoulder. “You’re hurt.”

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