Cillian wasn’t here, and I tried not to think the worst.I had to believe he had gotten away, because the alternative was unthinkable.It was difficult enough for me to control the Darkness when swords were pointed at the people I cared about.
‘Leave him!’Goodwin commanded.
I ignored Goodwin and continued to tighten the tourniquet around Rhett’s leg.Rhett’s breathing was becoming more laboured.A sword had pierced his side.There was no way to tell how deep, but I needed to end this and get Rhett to a healer.I stood up – my torn skirts soaked red with Rhett’s blood.
‘I knew you were all trouble the day you arrived.This whole time you’ve been plotting to free a Cursed whore who has tried to deceive and control my father.You are going to hang for this,’ Goodwin sneered.
He still resented that I stopped him from striking Bethel.‘How did you find out?’I asked as I stepped over Rhett and deeper into the room.Not one soldier had a sword pointed at me.They had no idea that I was the most dangerous person in this room.
‘Bethel told me everything this evening.I notified the castle guards who went to the dungeon to stop your pointless rescue mission,’ he said, then laughed.‘You know the old hag is already dead, don’t you?’
I felt the tingling in my hands as I imagined wiping that smirk permanently off his face.
‘They caught one of your conspirators, but these two had escaped.’He flicked a hand at Tomas and Rhett.
They caught someone in the dungeon.Oh stars.Cillian.
‘Unfortunately for them, I was here with my men to take this disfigured traitor to my father.’He scoffed and gestured at Torgrin, whose expression remained blank.
I looked at Bethel, standing at Goodwin’s side.Her face showed no regret for betraying us or her father.My hands shook and I gritted my teeth, trying to remain calm.
I looked Goodwin dead in the eyes.‘The thing is, men like you will always be weak.’
The smirk left his face, and his eyes narrowed.
I shook my head pityingly at him.‘You will always try to get the approval of men more powerful than you and fail – because you are a whiny boot licker.’I got the reaction I wanted.
‘Seize her!’screamed Goodwin, spittle flying from his mouth.
The two soldiers closest to me still didn’t bother raising their swords as they came to get me.They seemed to expect little resistance from a mere woman.My eyes met Torgrin’s, and he gave me a slight nod.
When the first soldier got close enough, I grabbed his sword arm in my powerful grip and drove a knee into his groin.While he was grappling with his pain, I turned my back to him and pulled his sword arm across my chest until I felt his shoulder pop out of its socket.He screamed, and I took his sword from his now useless hand.
Torgrin jumped from his knees to his feet in one graceful move.He spun and kicked the distracted soldier to his side in the chest.Torgrin then made another impressive move by jumping in the air and bringing his tied hands under himself to his front.
I took my newly acquired sword and plunged it into the other soldier, who was about to bring his blade down on me.Before he had even dropped to the floor, I spun and slashed across the waist of the soldier, who was still standing behind me with his arm dangling uselessly beside him.
Torgrin was fighting two soldiers with his hands still tied.He was sidestepping, jumping and ducking, avoiding their clumsy swordsmanship and sending them back with powerful kicks.Torgrindelivered one soldier an uppercut to the chin with his tied fists.His double-fisted punch was so hard that teeth and blood flew across the room towards me.
Goodwin and Bethel watched in shock as the power in the room changed hands.‘You won’t get out of here alive,’ Goodwin declared, even as he backed up.
My sword raised and covered in blood, I went to him like a spectre seeking sustenance.The guard with his teeth scattered around the room had recovered enough to approach me from behind.Turning my back to Goodwin and Bethel, I moved to defend myself against the toothless soldier.
My sword met his with a mighty swing.His eyes widened, and I smiled.He tried to swing his sword again, but I quickly blocked his blow.He retreated as I pushed forward, swinging my sword high and forcing him to block my blow from below.I had the upper hand, and his arms shook with the effort of holding me off.
I heard Tomas’s warning shout, but there was nothing I could do.Something sharp pierced my back, making me cry out.The pain took my breath away.I kept my sword engaged with the toothless guard, knowing I would also have his sword embedded in me if I let up.
‘Caris!’Torgrin yelled.
Having sliced his opponent in two, he appeared next to me in seconds.With his hands still tied, Torgrin swung his blade at the gap-toothed soldier.
Stumbling back, I let Torgrin take over for me.I touched my back where a knife protruded, and my fingers came away soaked with blood.
Goodwin – the bastard – had stabbed me.
‘Only a coward would stab someone in the back,’ I snarled, coming to stand toe to toe with him.He opened his mouth to speak, but I didn’t give him the chance to beg for his life.
‘You will never be king.’I placed my hands on his face and let my Darkness free.
