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He nodded.
“I will send a messenger immediately,” Sir Rylan said. “I should have an answer within three days.”
“She could be dead by then,” I said. My stomach tightened up on me again, and I was about to ask him what he would do if it were his own wife when Peter spoke up.
“She could be dead now”—Peter snorted through his nose—“and you will risk all of Silverhelm—”
His breath caught in his throat, and his eyes widened as they looked into mine. I did not drop my gaze from his as I pulled my blade out of his gut and watched him drop to his knees before me. His mouth opened and closed several times without a sound before he slowly toppled to one side.
“Edgar has my wife,” I said softly. I gripped the hilt of my sword and did not bother to sheath it though blood dripped steadily to the floor. I turned toward the rest of the court, my gaze scanning each of their faces as I silently dared them to argue with me. No one spoke a word or even managed to look me straight in the face.
“We march on Hadebrand now,” I said.
I felt soft fingers against my arm.
“Sunniva.” Her name left my tongue in a soft breath.
“Edgar’s numbers are greater,” she said quietly.
“There is nothing more I can do,” I replied with a quick glance to Rylan. He did not return my look.
“If you wait—” she started to say.
“We march on the morrow,” I said with conviction. “I will not wait another moment.”
“You will lead us to slaughter,” Parnell said under his breath.
I took a step closer to him, my hand still holding my bloodied sword.
“I will die for my queen,” I said smoothly. “Will you?”
Parnell’s eyes stared into mine for only a moment before he gave me a slight nod.
“Of course, my king,” he said. “It would be my honor.”
His eyes refused to look to the weapon in my hand as he took a step closer to lean into me.
“Branford,” Parnell spoke softly as he placed his hand on my shoulder. “We do not even know if she…if they still…”
From the toes in my boots all the way to the top of my head, my body tightened again. The muscles throughout my limbs flexed and burned, and my teeth clenched. There was burning behind my eyes, but I would not let that show. I tried to remember Parnell was not only of my own family but also a captain in my army, and I could not afford to lose him. However, I could not stop myself completely as I lashed out. A moment later, Parnell was caught with my arm across his chest and his body pressed up against the wall.
“She is alive,” I snarled. “Never, ever think otherwise.”
Parnell nodded, and I released him slowly.
We talked and planned and strategized for what felt like hours. I wanted to move as quickly as possible, even during the night and despite what Sunniva believed. Rylan talked me out of it when he told me to think of the men in my army and how much better they would be able to fight for my wife if they were well rested and fed first. As the court moved out of the grand hall and headed toward their own sleeping areas, I found myself in the chapel, staring up at the altar and trying to clear my mind of the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me.
Where was she right now? What were they doing to her?
“I am coming for you, Alexandra,” I said into the air. “Do not be afraid. I will come for you.”
I closed my eyes briefly and imagined myself once again in the tight container of the hidden compartment under the carriage bench. I heard the screams from outside. Only this time, it was Alexandra’s voice, and she called for me, but I could not reach her.
“Please, please—keep her safe,” I whispered as I dropped to my knees. Memories overwhelmed me again, and I felt Lord Sawyer’s arm around my shoulders as I was brought from the carriage. I saw the bodies of my parents on the ground, covered in blankets. At the point where I usually imagined what my mother’s body must have looked like under there, I now thought of my wife, and a choking sob emerged from my throat.
“God…no…please…”
What if they were hurting her right now as I knelt here and did nothing?
