Page 138 of A Kingdom's Heart
The boots drew closer. The keys rattled.
He gave my hand a weak squeeze, the faintest smile on his lips. “Everything’s going to be alright.”
But it wasn’t. Not for me. It never would be.
The cell door burst open. The clang of metal struck through the air, sharp and final. Guards filled the narrow space, their armor
glinting under the torchlight. Then he appeared. My father.
His expression was hard as stone. His eyes met mine, cold and furious. “How did you get here?” he demanded.
My throat closed. “Father, please,” I said, falling to my knees. “Please, spare him. I beg you. I won’t ever disobey you again, I swear it. I’ll go back to Valebran, I’ll be Lorenzo’s wife. I’ll do everything you ask, just please don’t kill him.”
His jaw tightened, his glare cutting through me. “What’s done is done,” he said, his voice low but full of anger. “And nothing can change it. He did the unforgivable. He loved you when you already belonged to another. And then he had the audacity to try and take you away from him.”
“He didn’t take me away—”
“Silence!” The word cracked like thunder. I flinched, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might stop.
He turned from me to the guards, his tone sharp and commanding. “You two,” he said, pointing toward me, “take theprincess to the yard at the front. She will witness his execution fair and square.”
Then he looked toward William, his voice colder still. “And you two, take this traitor to his post.”
“No!” The word ripped out of me, raw and trembling. Panic rushed through my veins like fire. My breath came fast and shallow as they stepped forward, seizing William by the arms. His head tilted weakly toward me, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.
I struggled, thrashing in the guards’ hold as they grabbed my arms and pulled me away. “Please! Don’t take him! Please!” My voice broke with every cry, but it didn’t matter.
The sound of chains, the scrape of boots on stone, and the cold certainty in my father’s eyes filled the air.
I had to do something. Anything.
Because if I didn’t, this would be the last time I ever saw him alive.
And as the guards dragged us both toward the light above, my heart shattered.
CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT
IRIS
The sunlight hit my eyes the moment they dragged me outside. The air was heavy, filled with the murmur of a restless crowd. Hundreds of faces stretched across the courtyard. Some looked eager, others afraid, but all were watching.
The breaking wheel stood in the center like a monument to cruelty. The sight of it made my knees weak.
The guards at my side didn’t let go. Their hands were rough on
my arms, keeping me in place. I lifted my head and searched the yard until my eyes found him. William.
They were dragging him forward. His shirt was still off, his steps slow and uneven. He looked so pale. So tired. Every movement seemed to take all the strength he had left.
When they reached the wheel, the guards threw him down and began tying his arms and legs with thick rope. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. I wanted to scream for them to stop, but no sound came out.
When they lifted his head, his eyes met mine across the yard. For a heartbeat, everything went still. His gaze held mine, calm and steady, though I could see the pain in it. It was that look that shattered me.
My heart pounded in my chest until it hurt. I couldn’t breathe. If
I didn’t do something, I knew I would break apart right there.
Then my father stepped forward. The guards straightened as he passed, and the crowd quieted.
