Page 72 of Knight's End
I spun away, angry and devastated. And my eyes lit on Blue.
My newest knight was standing there, shell-shocked, still wearing the bloody, torn uniform he’d had on when he’d fought Isla’s bears.
Before I knew it, poison darts shot out my mouth. “You did this,” I accused him. “If you hadn’t been so obsessed with your father, and abandoned your post, this wouldn’t have happened!”
Blue’s eyes widened and he took a step back. “I didn’t mean—”
“Because of you, he’s a sarding cripple!” I screamed.
Blue swallowed hard and shook his head.
I took a step toward him, my fists balled. I was pure rage in that moment. Nothing else.
Blue spun on his heel and fled.
I started to stride after him, but Declan blocked my path.
“No, Peace.”
“Get out of my way,” I snarled.
“I can’t. You’re about to do something you regret.”
“What? Like execute him?” I tried to push around my scholar, but he held me firm.
“Bloss! Come here!” Ryan growled.
Declan pushed me gently toward Ryan.
I took a deep, cleansing breath and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to regain control. Tears filled my eyes and it took a second breath before I felt strong enough to turn around and face Ryan.
I walked toward him; head hung in shame. Ryan took my hand in one of his, but couldn’t do more, since he was still tied to the table.
“Look at me, Dearling,” he commanded.
I glanced up and the vision of him swam before my eyes. Two big fat tears spilled over onto my cheeks before I could clearly see him again.
“None of that,” he murmured softly, his giant fingers stroking my palm.
“But you’re hurt,” I said, petulantly. “And you won’t let me fix it.”
“Little Dearling,” he whispered. “War has a price. Just like magic.”
“But—”
“But, nothing, love. If I’m not willing to pay the price, how can I ask any of my men to pay it?”
“But—”
“Anger has a price, too. You were pretty hard on Blue, just now.”
“He left you. He went after his father. I knew he was obsessed. I knew it!”
“First of all, sit down.”
Ryan wriggled backward so that I could hop up onto the table beside him.
Declan wisely cleared the room, though at that point, I wasn’t paying attention to anyone other than Ryan. I swiped at my face and focused on him, on the strong jaw and the stern eyes that I loved.
