Page 71 of Degradation

“Let this be a message to all my people. Defy me and die,” the queen said.

She swept off the gallows, turning her back on Pogwid, who swung like a pendulum in the light breeze as if the loss of her life didn’t matter.

Inside of me, a long, thin line of sorrow split through the wall of my well.

The earth beneath us trembled just before the queen retreated within the white stone of the castle.

The strain to keep myself together continued even as the tingle under my skin eased. I couldn’t lose control. Not here. Not amidst so many who would be injured.

I needed Liam. Desperately.

“Come,” Philip said, helping me to my feet. “You look unwell.”

I couldn’t respond but did hear several people call his name. He ignored them all as he led me out of the courtyard and to the waiting carriage.

The moment Liam’s hand closed around mine to assist me into the carriage, I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.

“I need you,” I said softly.

He nodded once and looked at Philip.

“Quickly,” Liam said.

Philip joined me in the carriage and thumped on the roof.

The carriage jolted, and I leaned heavily into my seat. I fisted my hands and attempted to focus on the sound of the wheels rattling over the cobblestone or how my teeth chattered together because of the rough jostling. But it didn’t work. Another fracture reverberated through me.

I flew forward as the carriage came to an abrupt stop, and I would have fallen to the floor if not for Philip’s quick reflexes.

The door opened, and Liam climbed in, lifting me onto his lap.

Philip hit the roof again as Liam buried his fingers in my hair and pressed his forehead to mine.

“Tell me what you need,” he said.

“Kiss me.”

He did. Tenderly. Sweetly. His love and devotion wrapped around me, soothing some of my anguish. His desire filled me, becoming my own. I gratefully took what he offered and let it anchor and calm the storm within me.

When he pulled away, tears ran down my cheeks.

“Forgive me, my love,” he said.

“For what?”

“For not trying to lock you in a room.”

I made a pained sound and kissed him more deeply, loving that he understood me so well to see my regret but not berate me for my choices.

When we broke apart the second time, he pressed me to his chest and simply held me as my racing pulse calmed. The remaining distance to Philip’s home passed in silence.

When we arrived, the driver jumped down to open the carriage door and didn’t register even a moment of shock when Liam swept me into his arms and strode toward the front door. The butler opened it before we reached it.

“Take her to the sitting room,” Philip called from behind us. “I’ll have the cook brew some medicinal tea.”

The sitting room wasn’t as empty as we’d left it.

Darian shot to his feet when Liam entered with me in his arms.

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