He lowered the bow and glanced out to Hugh. The man knew he stood no chance whatsoever. No one had ever taken Ravenswood, and no one ever could.
Yet for the love of his daughter, Hugh prepared his men to die.
His own father would have thrown him over the battlements to ward off an army. Harold would never have sacrificed himself to see his son safe.
Draven raised the bow again and aimed it straight at Hugh’s heart. He could end it all with one shot. Hugh was too stupid to even hide himself, and Draven had clear vision straight to the dark green surcoat.
All he had to do was let fly the arrow.
Do it!
He could hear his father’s voice in his head as he did every time he faced an enemy. Give a man the chance and he’ll be at your back, sword drawn, and plunge it straight through you. Always kill before he has a chance to strike the first blow.
Draven pulled back the arrow.
One shot and it would end.
One shot and she would be his forever.
Aiming, Draven let go the arrow, and as he intended, it flew wide of its mark.
He couldn’t do it.
Good or bad, right or wrong, Hugh was her father. And she loved him.
“Emily,” Draven called to her, his tone empty. “I give you a choice. You can stay with me, and I will protect you, or you can return with your father.”
She blinked at him as if she didn’t understand his words.
Draven approached her, his body numb. “If you leave me now, know your father will never allow you to return here. You’ll be lost to me forever. But the choice is yours. I will not make it for you.”
Emily couldn’t believe her ears.
Draven would let her go?
He would give her a choice?
In that instant she realized the full depth of her love for him. Few, if any, men would ever allow a woman to voice her opinion over her life or welfare.
He was her guardian and had full sovereignty over her. Yet he left the matter up to her.
She reached up to lay her hand against his cheek. She felt his jaw flex beneath her hand as he stared at her with those icy blue eyes waiting for her answer.
“I must go to him, then.”
The hurt in his eyes burned her.
“Draven, listen.”
He shrugged her touch off. “Go.” His voice was hollow and empty.
“But Draven, hear me out, I?—”
“Nicholas!” He walked away from her. “Get her off the wall and escort her out the partisan gate.”
“Aye, milord.”
“Draven!” she called, but he didn’t stop or turn around. She fought Nicholas’ hold on her arm.
