Page 9 of Crown of Briars
A soldier cleared his throat, and Father recovered first. “To the outer gates. All of you, now!”
He didn’t spare any of us a glance before he fled the room, no doubt to ready himself for the Wraith King’s arrival. The guards around me scurried to obey, ignoring me entirely.
I took only a moment to draw in a few deep breaths before the terror could overwhelm me. Then I snapped into action.
Because I knew what was expected of me. I’d spent my whole life preparing for this moment.
I gathered my skirts and hurried out of the throne room, then raced down the steps toward the open entrance doors. Soldiers were already pouring outside to flank the outer gates.
I had just reached the outer bailey when a soldier stepped in my path, and I collided with him with an ungraceful, “Oof!”
The man turned, catching me by the waist before I fell on my ass. I looked up at him, and my heart lodged itself in my throat.
It was Gerard. His face was pale and stricken with horror. Gone was the playful smirk I both loved and loathed. In its place was a sickening dread that matched my own.
His hands steadied me, and I grasped his arm, not caring who saw us. Everyone was so preoccupied with the Wraith King’s arrival that no one would care about my feelings for Gerard.
Besides, by this time tomorrow, I could be dead.
“Have you seen him?” I panted.
Gerard shook his head, his jaw tight. “The patrol spotted the carriage a few miles out. It should be here any moment.”
I sucked in several panicked breaths, unable to get enough oxygen into my lungs.
Gerard’s hands framed my face as he brought his forehead to mine. “Breathe, love. It will be all right. I’ll take you away from here.”
I jerked away from him in surprise. “What?”
He was shaking his head, his mouth twisting into a grimace. “I can’t do it, Sybelle. I can’t watch that monster take you.” He grasped my wrist, then hauled me back toward the entrance doors.
I dug my heels in, pulling my arm from his grip. “Gerard!” An incredulous laugh bubbled up my throat. When he grabbed my upper arm instead and continued to drag me, I shoved at his shoulder. The steel armor rattled, but my movements made no difference.
“Gerard!” I hissed, finally managing to free my arm. I took three steps back, ensuring a healthy distance separated us. He had never acted like this before. He had never grabbed me tightly enough to bruise. I cast a quick glance around the courtyard, but the soldiers flitting about were too distracted to notice our interaction. “What the hell are you doing? We’ve been planning this for years. We knew this day would come.”
His eyes burned with regret as he strode toward me. “I thought I was strong enough, but I’m not. How can I just stand by and let you go?”
“It’s my choice!”
“I don’t care. You can hate me all you want, but I’m taking you away from here.” His arms gripped my waist again.
The savage determination in his gaze chilled my blood. He was about to hoist me over his shoulder like a sack of grain. In this wretched dress, I couldn’t do much. But I’d endured years oftraining.
Before he could lift me, I hooked my ankle behind his and tugged. He crashed to the ground, the metal of his armor clattering loudly. I drew Wraith Killer, and a surge of supernatural strength filled me. Gerard thrust upward, but I pinned him with my arm, slamming down hard enough for the back of his head to crack against the concrete. He groaned, his eyes going unfocused for a moment. He blinked rapidly until his wide eyes fixed on me.
I brought the blade to his throat, and he froze.
“I will do this for my people,” I whispered. “And if you get in my way, I will end you. We both agreed that, for the good of the Earthen Court, I would marry the Wraith King. Do you have so little faith in our plan? Do you honestly believe I will fail?”
“You don’t know what waits for you in that hellhole!” he rasped. “It isn’t safe, and you can’t handle?—”
“I can’t handlewhat?” I growled.
He licked his lips. “You have not seen war or battle, Sybelle. You have not endured grave injuries or torture before. I fear that whatever awaits you in his kingdom will break you.”
“Whatever awaits me ismyburden to bear and mine alone. And it is still my choice. Not yours. I’ve made my decision.” I withdrew, rising to my feet. A bead of blood trickled down his neck as he glared up at me.
I sheathed my dagger, then turned and hurried down the courtyard to the outer gates. By the time Gerard would be able to climb to his feet in all that armor, I would be among the line of people awaiting the Wraith King’s arrival. He wouldn’t be able to snatch me with so many witnesses.
