Page 116 of Oath of Rebellion

He didn't say anything, but she didn't need him to. She could feel his worry for her, his remorse... and his determination to kill her brother.

She understood, but she didn't like it. She had denied the truth of it for years, even when she knew he had been trying to kill her.

On some level, she'd ran to the tavern whenever she'd started to feel his sneaky attacks getting worse. She'd gone to the tavern to eat real food that wouldn't make her sick. She'd gone to the tavern for a friend to listen.

And now her friend was on the roof of the castle with her maniac evil brother. Her heart jumped, and her breath caught in her throat as her tears slowed. It ate at her until she pulled back and looked up at Knox' deep green eyes.

She bit her lip, unsure of what to say, and he just pursed his lips and nodded.

"I know," he said. "You stay here, and I'll take care of it. You've pushed yourself too much already. You'll be safe here, right?"

She nodded, tears pricking her eyes as more fears rose. "But what if he hurts her? What if you need me?"

Knox kissed her forehead, and then they stood up, his hand on her elbow. "Then I'll scream, and you'll come flying. But would it make you feel better if I did a pass over the castle courtyard and tried to find Scarlet or the Robins?"

She frowned and pointed at him. "Oh yeah, the Robins. Why didn't you tell me–"

Another scream ripped from the castle roof and a burst of magic split the sky above. Eirwyn's stomach twisted at the horrible star burst of colors, every color of magic represented.

"Oh no," she whispered, dread filling her. The fear was eating her alive and terror left her frozen in place.

Knox kissed Eirwyn's cheek and stepped away, shifting into his hulking dragon. He bent his knees and lunged into the air, flapping his wings. She gave him a gust of wind and said softly, "Be safe."

Then he was flying straight to the castle. Worry twisted her stomach, making her feel nauseous as she held her stomach bump, barely filling her palm with the size of it. She could join him, she hadn't pushed herself too much yet, but if she was pregnant... She had to wait for him.

She bit her lip and watched him fly away.

Chapter 41

SCARLET SWUNG THE STOLEN short blade and hit a guard in the chest plate. The metal clanged and the man fell. Scarlet kicked him in the chest and sent him sprawling on the cobblestones of the courtyard.

Half an hour ago, she'd been beaten and bloody. But a few healing potions, a couple of bites of jerky, and a quick talk with the Robins, and she knew what she had to do. Her emotions were raw from the torture, and she desperately wanted the comfort of her daggers and blades. She felt naked without them, but she'd taken down her first guard by hand, then taken his sword.

The king had gotten into her head with his wicked lies, and it infuriated her. She'd kept telling herself that Knox would find her. He was as steady as the stars. And if he was in trouble, she would be there to help.

Another guard ran at her from the side. She stepped back and kicked her leg out, sending him to the ground on top of the other one. The Robins and villagers behind her flooded the castle courtyard, spreading out to find a way inside the castle itself.

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