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It was my great pleasure to behead him.
When he slumped out of my way in two pieces, the king rose from his throne, his eyes wide with fear as he ogled Greggor’s corpse. “But you can’t—” he started, stunned horror clouding his features.
I grabbed the front of his cape and jerked him close until we were practically nose to nose. “And I had such high hopes you’d become a father I could admire. But time after time again, you failed me.”
His face darkened. “Why, you stupid, reckless whelp. You’ll pay for this. You—”
“No,” I said, pressing the blade to his heart and pushing it deep, watching his eyes flare with pain and surprise. “I won’t. You pay this time.”
His hand grappled for my sleeve as he died.
I shook my head sadly. “You’re the biggest disappointment a son could ever have.”
And just like that, I had killed my father.
When I let go of his cape, he slumped to the floor by my feet.
From her chair, Kalendria had stopped laughing and was now screaming with the child in her arms as she climbed onto her seat to stand. But I wasn’t some frightened mouse under her chair who’d startled her. I could still reach her up there.
I turned to the queen, narrowing my eyes. But more guards rushed at me, intent to kill.
Momentarily distracted, I turned from Kalendria to fend off a swinging sword. And then three more.
The number of guards grew, all of them piling on me now, intent to end my life. I just kept fighting, somehow surviving through each encounter. When one swung at me with what would surely be a killing blow, I actually felt a smidgeon of peace.
It was over.
I wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.
Except death refused to call my name.
An explosion rent the air around us, instead. When a small bloody hole appeared in the soldier’s forehead before he could behead me, everyone froze, gaping at the phenomenon.
“No,” I whispered, dread plopping heavily in my stomach, because I knew of only one thing that would cause such destruction.
But she couldn’t be here.
Whirling around, I found Nicolette poised in the doorway, her Colt still aiming at the man she’d killed. A stranger stood at her side, with her, and she’d never looked more glorious before.
Which was exactly why fear suddenly coated my skin and ended my rage in an instant.
“No, no, no, no,” I chanted, shaking my head.
She wasn’t supposed to be here.
She was supposed to be on her way back to Donnelly, safe and sound.
This was not safe. Or sound.
To prove me right, the soldiers suddenly turned their attention from me and advanced on her. Nicolette shot two more men in short order, while her companion took out one with a sword when he got too close.
Growing intimidated by the power of her Colt, the advance of soldiers paused, none of them daring to take on such an unknown, effective killer.
But then Kalendria screamed, “What are you waiting for, you idiots? Kill her! Kill them all.”
And the fight was back on. The knights lifted their weapons and charged, most of them aiming for Nicolette.
“No!” I shouted, joining the fray.
