Page 109 of The King's Weapon

Tears fell from his eyes, sliding down the sides of his face. She wasn't sure if it was the pain of the wound that caused his tears or the pain of knowing that what he did wasn't enough.

Unsure of what to say, Kallie said the only thing she could, "You did well. But it's time for you to rest, now. Rest easy knowing that you were brave, that you were enough, soldier.”

The man attempted to form a smile on his lips. He grimaced in pain and scanned the air as he gripped her hand tighter. "Frenzia," he hissed.

Kallie tilted her head. "What about Frenzia?"

"Here," and as the word left his lips his chest fell and did not rise.

Frenzia’s men had come for her. Herfiancé's militaryhad come for her.

And Kallie's body shook.

She let her tears go and bent down, placing a kiss on the man's forehead. Even in the end, he tried to do more. Tried to be of service. And Kallie's heart ached for the soldiers that died believing that they were never enough. For those who continued to fight to prove themselves to their commanders, their families, their kingdom.

She knew that feeling all too well. Weeks ago many of her men died fighting the hard fight.

Kallie placed her hand over his eyes and gently shut the soldier's blue eyes. She sent a soft prayer to the gods.

It was a well-known fact that the Frenzian military was well-equipped. It was one of the reasons King Domitius had sought the marriage between the two kingdoms, so he would have access to it. However, Kallie had assumed when people commended the military that they had been referring to its size, training program, loyalty, and ability. She had not expected it to be because of the weapons they possessed. She had never seen anything like the aftermath of whatever weapon they had created and used here today.

It was dangerous.

It was frightening.

And it would destroy entire kingdoms if used on a larger scale.

And they had brought those weapons here.

Kallie brushed away the hair that had fallen in her face, then stormed into the castle. The pain that spiked in her right ankle as it hit the sleek floor was a constant reminder of what she was fighting for. Only urging her faster through the halls. Each slap against the wooden floor echoed the king's warnings in her head.

Don't be overzealous. Don't be cocky. Stay focused.

And despite all she had learned, he was right. Her confidence in her safety had led her to this moment. She had let her mind wander, let herself enjoy the world around her. And consequently, she had lost sight of the task at hand and lost sight of who she was. But now, as she dragged her throbbing ankle behind her toward the safe room, she would refocus on her goal.

Her gift coursed through her veins.

She was ready.

She had to be.

* * *

Kallie skiddedto a stop as she reached a fork in the hallway. Slowing her breathing, she listened as she decided which direction she should take.

She had never been to the safe room. Up until now, she had been using her instincts to guide her, but a decision had to be made.

She wiped off the moisture that beaded on her forehead with the back of her hand. And then she heard them.

Rough voices sounded from down the hallway on the left. Without hesitating, she let the faded voices guide her. She passed several closed doors. The usual warmth of the halls now cold and silent. The floors that once sparkled, now dull. This section of the castle was rarely used it seemed.

The voices led her down another hall and grew louder as Kallie drew nearer. She slowed her pace, quieted her footsteps. She could now pick up bits of the conversation.

"What if she's not here?" one of the voices asked.

"She will be," the other replied.

"And if there are others?"

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