“Lean on me,” she insisted.
They passed room after dark room, and as they finally neared the cave’s main entrance, Amelia heard the loud chatter from outside and quickened her pace further.
Outside, the elders were in their usual meeting place seated in a semi-circle and in front of them, Wyatt was being held down on a rock by two guards. His naked back was pressed against the rock and both arms were stretched wide. The executioner was stood in front of him, a large spear in his right hand, raised high above his head, ready to strike.
“Stop!” Amelia shouted. “Stop this!”
The executioner lowered the spear and looked over his shoulder to Amelia’s father for confirmation. Her father got to his feet as Amelia headed towards Wyatt with a slow shuffle.
He lifted his head to look at her, and murmured, “Baby, you shouldn’t be here.”
“Amelia,” her father chastised. “What are you doing out of bed? You need to rest.”
“I wouldn’t be alivetorest if it wasn’t for Wyatt bringing me home,” she said bitterly.
“Wyatt was warned to never return here. He knew what would happen if he did.”
“And yet he came anyway to save my life. Despite knowing what it would mean for him if he came back, he still brought me. Andthisis how you thank him?”
Her father scowled. “I…”
Amelia huffed out a laugh devoid of humor. “Tell me, father, does my life really mean so little to you that you would send a dragon to kill me just because I ran away?”
Her father frowned, looking between her and Wyatt. “I sent no one.”
“Really?” she said. “And what exactly do you think happened to me? Do you think some random human stabbed me with a knife laced with dragonsbane?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “Wyatt did it.”
Amelia snorted. “You think mymatetried to kill me? And then flew me back here to get help, knowing it would mean his own death? Are you out of your mind? Your golden boy did it,” she spat venomously. “Silas.”
Her father’s expression darkened. “Is this true?”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “No, I just imagined it. Of course, it’s true. Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
Her father turned to one of the guards who was still holding Wyatt. “Is Silas back from his hunting trip?”
Amelia snorted.
“Yes, sir,” the guard responded.
“Bring him here. Now.”
The guard left and Amelia dropped to her knees next to Wyatt. “Are you okay?”
He blew out a breath that seemed filled with frustration. “AmIokay? I should be asking you that. You nearly died.” He reached out and cupped the side of her face. “I was so worried about you. You should be in bed.”
“I’m fine, really. You saved me. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You shouldn’t have come out here,” he said. “I don’t want you to see this.”
She grabbed his hand and placed a kiss on the palm before turning to face her father.
“If you insist on going ahead with this charade then you can kill me too.”
“Amelia!” her father snapped.
“You told Wyatt fifty years ago that if he returned to the clan, it would be under the punishment of death, is that correct?”
