Page 153 of Bride of Fire
One downward thrust would end Miles’ life.
“Nay!” Morgan’s cry was hoarse and full of torment.
In the end, he had to admit defeat.
She wouldn’t negotiate with him.
She didn’t want to stay at Creagor.
And he couldn’t convince her to surrender Miles.
He couldn’t even risk taking the bairn by force. He saw now that Alicia had no feelings for her son. She had no feelings forhim.He wondered if she had feelings for anyone save herself.
The slow march toward the doors was interminable. Alicia warily advanced, clenching her hand around the dagger that threatened Miles’ vulnerable body.
Morgan and his men followed her at a safe distance, waiting for her to make a mistake.
Trip up somehow.
Falter.
Drop her guard.
Change her mind.
Anything that would give them the advantage.
But she never stumbled. Never veered from her course. Never hesitated or had second thoughts.
She took a dozen tortuous steps.
Then, on the thirteenth, the sudden earth-shuddering crack of the battering ram made everyone jerk in distraction. Everyone except the highly focused archer who sent an arrow spiraling through Alicia’s upraised forearm.
The thud at the doors didn’t garner as much attention as the tortured scream Alicia emitted when she felt the arrow’s wicked bite.
The dagger fell from her hand. Her eyes rolled wildly as she stared at the shaft impaling her and the blood dripping down her arm. While she staggered in shock, Morgan rushed forward, easily snatching Miles out of her arms.
Then he scanned the battlements to see who had shot the arrow.
A lone archer lowered a bow.
Jenefer.
The mist swirled around her like smoke off a fire. Her face was grave, graver than he’d ever seen it. She must know the risk she’d taken. If her shaft had drifted by so much as an inch, she might have killed Miles or one of the men behind him.
He wanted to be vexed with her. But the truth was she’d saved Miles’ life.
He gave her a nod of gratitude. And he prayed he’d live long enough to thank her properly.
The battering ram thudded against the doors again, opening the crevice. The men shoved the cart forward, sealing it again.
Soon he’d have to prepare for a second round of hand-to-hand fighting. He needed someone to take his son to safety.
He glanced at Jenefer again. As if she’d read his mind, her gaze dropped to Miles, and she started down the steps.
But he shook his head, stopping her.
He wouldn’t waste her talents.
