Page 142 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

He looked like a vengeful god cutting through his enemies. Untouchable. Unyielding. Mine.

The last thought clanged through me unexpectedly. I shook it off and started in the other direction, determined to slip past him while the Withered kept him busy.

When he reached the barricade of soldiers, his form flickered, becoming more shadowthan flesh. And then he was through the lines of clanging swords, closing quickly on my heels.

I ran faster and made it all the way to the open back doors before his hand snagged mine.

“Come,” he said, voice low and urgent. He took my hand with a grip that left no room for argument. “You must leave. Now.”

One of the Withered careened toward us. Rydian held up a hand, and a bolt of power knocked it back.

“Stop it,” I insisted, putting myself between him and the Withered. “They’re with me.”

Rydian looked at the cloaked figure with disbelief. The Withered raised its head, hesitating.

“Go,” I insisted.

It turned away and aimed for a royal guard instead.

I tried to pull away from Rydian, but he tightened his grip.

“Let me go,” I demanded.

“I can’t.” His gaze searched mine for a single second before he added almost pleadingly, “Trust me.”

It was a horrible thing to ask of me now. And even more awful that I gave in.

We plunged into the mass of bodies, ducking and weaving as my mind spun with questions. The Withered were everywhere, screams tearing through the night as they attacked the soldiers in their path. And still, Rydian led me, his hand never leaving mine as he cut a path through the patio doors and down the terrace steps into the garden.

Freedom washed over me.

I’d made it out.

A few more steps and I’d be clear enough?—

“And where exactly do you think you’re going?”

The sound of the male’s voice cut through my silent victory like a killing knife. Still, I might have taken my chancesand kept running, but Rydian pulled us up short as Koraz stepped out ahead of us, blocking our escape.

“This is as far as you go, traitor,” Koraz hissed at Rydian.

Rydian snarled at him and drew his sword. But the voice behind us spoke again, stilling Rydian’s hand.

“My bastard son running off with his brother’s bride. Now this is quite the entertainment.”

With arms and legs full of lead, I turned to face the king.

Chapter Forty-Four

Rydian

Aurelia’s hand in mine went cold.

I swept my gaze over our surroundings in a quick assessment. Daegel and Slade had other orders, and the Withered were busy with Callan and whatever guests they’d managed to pin down. No one else was coming.

I turned to face Duron without fully taking my gaze off Koraz.

My father was as I’d always known him—cold, cruel, with eyes like frozen amber and a voice like a blade cutting through the air.

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