Page 81 of The Huntsman's Heart
At least that one can be ignored.
A guard bursts into the room and looks in confusion between the princess, me, and the queen, probably trying to work out what on earth is going on.
“The princess!”
Melantha glares at him. “Is gone. This must be an imposter.”
“You’re the imposter.” Guin circles the room, keeping away from me.
Melantha throws up her hands. “Why will no one obey my command? Kill her.”
I laugh. “She’s already dead.”
Melantha stares at me.
The poor confused guard draws his weapon and lunges at Guin, and she’s forced to dodge and parry his blow.
“So you made her like you, did you?” smirks Melantha. “Your mistake. Give me her heart.”
My body lurches into action again against my will. “No! I cannot.” I’m staggering toward Guin even as I fight it. “I gave it back to her.”
“You fool.” The queen laughs triumphantly. “Catch her. I’ve always wanted to see if a lich could survive burning. She can be my experiment, and if you keep resisting me, you can be next.”
Horrified, I try to escape the compulsion, but it’s too strong.
Guin knocks the guard’s weapon to the ground and pivots in time to stab at me as I grab for her again. Even while I’m sluggish, fighting the magic, doing my everything not to harm her, she is still smaller and weaker. And she’s not expecting me to simply block her blade with my arm.
The sword sinks deep, and I grunt as the blade slices into my flesh and buries itself there. But the princess isn’t quick enough to pull it out before I clamp my hand down over her wrist and squeeze.
Bones crack.
I wince as I break her wrist, and she drops her grip on the hilt. She twists and pulls away from me, slipping through my arms.
Where are the gargoyles? They promised to stop me.
I look over my shoulder but the dark night sky has turned dusty orange and three frozen stone faces look in at the window as if they were carved there in the act of entering.
Guinevere
Alaric’s face is distorted with agony as his attack continues.
Fog swims at the edge of my vision. The room spins. I shake my head but cannot clear it.
Alaric’s hand is clamped around my wrist. His tone is urgent. “Run, Guin.”
“No.”
“You have to run. She’ll destroy your heart if she burns you.”
“Snap out of it.” I push hard against his chest with my free hand, but it’s useless.
“You know I cannot.” His grip is firm. He’s always been stronger than I am.
“I should have listened to you. I was not ready.”
“You must be ready now, Guin. Or she will make me destroy you.”
A vision of all of Blackthorn trapped under her power washes over me. They’d be forced to endure her forever. Alaric would be bound to her forever.
