Page 203 of Bride By Coronation

I squeeze her hand in reassurance, and try to think of how to stop them from beheading her.

Jytte asks, "What is Amendment 666?"

Fiona pins her eyebrows together and looks at me.

The air in my lungs turns stale.

She looks back at Jytte and answers, "The Royal Doctrine I was provided did not have an Amendment past 665."

The crowd gasps, then returns to pounding the torches.

"Wrong answer. Want to try again?" Ulrich asks.

"I can't answer a question when the information wasn't provided to me," Fiona argues, lifting her chin.

"Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!" the crowd chants.

Fiona shakes her head in frustration.

Jytte states, "Last chance!"

Fiona stays quiet, squeezing my hand but not flinching under Jytte's dark stare.

"Answer!" Jytte screams.

Fiona glares at her.

"Three seconds. Three. Two. One!" Jytte counts.

The crowd turns deafening. "Behead the queen! Behead the queen! Behead the queen!"

Fiona gapes at me in fear.

Before I can do anything, the knights file in between us. I'm pushed toward the guillotine, and several men hold me down. The wood shuts around my neck, and the lock clicks into place. I grip the wood, trying to lift it, but I can't.

"No!" Fiona screams, and a few tears escape her eyes.

I turn my head, and they lock the wood over her head. I roar, "Get that off of her!"

Ulrich holds his hand up, and the metal blade slides to the top.

The arena quiets.

My heart races so fast I feel nauseous.

"By the power vested in me by the Omni, representing the goodwill of The Underworld, I order?—"

"Stop!" Valentina screams.

"We have proof!" Brax shouts.

I shift my gaze and catch them running toward us.

Jytte tosses a nervous glance at Ulrich.

"Stand back, or you will be next!" Ulrich declares.

"We have full proof!" Brax growls as he jumps on the stage. He runs toward Fiona and pushes the executioner aside.

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