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Lio would have leapt over the table if not for Mak’s implacable grip holding him in his seat. As Flavian and Cassia passed in front of them, Lio touched her mind, assuring her of rescue. He felt nothing but determination in her thoughts.
I will make it through this. Just another hour. I will…
He heard the change in her heartbeat as the color drained from her face, and her knees buckled.
Lio stepped before she hit the ground. But he landed against a circle of mortals crowding around her. A hand made impact with his chest and shoved him back. He looked down.
It was Benedict. “Let her own people see to her.”
“Get out of my way,” Lio snarled.
“You have an audience,” Ben hissed. “I will not allow you to harm her reputation.”
Lio could hear her heartbeat weakening.
With a flick of his thoughts, he hurled Benedict away from him. The knight fell back against Flavian, and they both staggered. Mak and Lyros held the men back as the other courtiers surrounding Cassia scrambled out of Lio’s way.
He knelt and pulled her into his arms, bracing himself for the channeling.
Her aura didn’t pull. The contact didn’t rouse her.
“She’s worse than she was in the Maaqul,” Kella said, “but this time it only took hours, not days.”
“She didn’t say anything!” Solia cried. “I checked on her every half hour…”
Knight whined, pressing close to Cassia’s fallen form. Lio heard shouting beyond the roar in his ears. His blood pounded with rage, even as Cassia’s heart weakened.
Cassia, I’m here. Come back to me. He sent a pulse of his magic into her.
Her heartbeat picked up. But as soon as that dose of magic faded, so did her pulse.
Lio rose to his feet, lifting Cassia from the floor. He didn’t wait for Solia’s permission, but she didn’t protest, either.
A glint of light on steel caught his eye. Flavian whisked his sword out of his scabbard. “Unhand her!”
Lio rounded on him, baring his fangs. “How dare you. You did this to her.”
Guilt twinged in the man’s aura, confirming Lio’s accusation. He plucked the man’s thoughts from the surface of his mind. Should have believed her when she told me she was ill…
Flavian stood his ground, his sword at the ready. “She needs the Semna. Put her down!”
With an act of Will, Lio tore the blade from Flavian’s hand and sent it clattering across the floor of the great hall. “I challenge you to Trial by Combat. No magic. No swords. Just our fists. I’ll take Sunfire Poison and fight you like a man. If I win, you must release Cassia from her betrothal.”
Lio didn’t care about the cries of dismay or his Grace-sister’s anger washing over him in a wave of heat. He didn’t even enjoy the fury in Flavian’s aura. All that mattered was Cassia’s struggling heartbeat, and the imperative that no one ever keep her from his side again.
Wake up, my Grace, he called in her mind. Please wake up. I may well kill him for this.
“Will you accept my challenge?” Lio demanded. “Or are you a coward, too afraid to bloody your hands?”
Flavian drew himself up, mustering his dignity. “I insist that the mages administer the potion and ensure a fair fight.”
“I’ll take two doses of poison, if you wish. I don’t need Hesperine strength to defeat you.”
“Bold words, Ambassador. We’ll see how a scholar’s fists hold up against mine.”
Lio laughed. “Ask the Dexion on your next visit to his cell.”
“I agreed to your terms.” Flavian held up his hands, as if Lio were a wild animal he sought to calm. “Now release her. Hand her over to the healers.”
