A Mir soldier suddenly broke away from a fight with Valenden and rushed toward them, but Rangar easily fought him back, stabbing his sword through the man’s chest.
Valenden staggered over, breathing hard, and took one look at Carr’s body. He gave a grim nod. “Bryn, you must hurry back to Castle Mir. Christof’s rebels and our fighters will finish off the soldiers here. You must get word that Carr is dead.”
Rangar pressed a hand on the small of Bryn’s back, urging her toward one of the horses, who stood wild-eyed in the middle of the creek. He splashed into the water, capturing the horse’s reins, and guided it over to a stump on the stream bank.
“After you, princess.”
Rangar helped her climb on the horse, and then swung up behind her. Wrapping a steadying arm around her waist, he squeezed his heels.
As the horse took off, the remainder of the battle raged around them. Fallen rebels lay on the ground, but the dead were mostly made up of Mir soldiers in their golden armor, which was now caked in blood and ash. The fire had fully engulfed the carriage, sending sparks up into the night.
Calista maintained the wall of water, continuing to shield the rebels from the flames. But a shape moved in the stream behind her. A Mir soldier had submerged himself and was now rising from the water with a knife raised—
“No!” Bryn shouted, but it was too late.
The soldier thrust his blade into Calista’s back. The apprentice gasped, her body going stiff. The wall of water instantly collapsed, splashing over the entire battle.
With her dying energy, Calista spun toward the soldier. She made another hex symbol in the air, and bright blue light engulfed him. Grabbing his throat as though he was choking, he collapsed.
A second later, Calista fell beside him.
“No!” Bryn shouted again.
Rangar tightened his arm around her waist and whispered fiercely in her ear, “There’s nothing we can do for her now.”
He kicked the horse into a faster gallop. Saint’s Forest was a blur around them as the stead’s hooves tore up the mulched path, fleeing from the smoke and screams.
Back to Castle Mir,she thought.
Back to Mars.
Time to put the correct family on the throne, now and forever.
Chapter
Forty-One
BACK FROM THE DEAD . . . the rightful heir . . . a surprise announcement . . . "make me your wife"
Illiana was waiting for them in Castle Mir’s courtyard, pacing anxiously with a lantern raised against the dark clouds overhead. She rushed over as soon as Bryn and Rangar’s horse galloped to a stop.
“It’s done?” Her voice was breathless.
Rangar swung down from the horse, then reached up to help Bryn dismount. Even when her feet were safely on the ground, he locked a hand around her waist, unwilling to be parted from her.
“Carr is dead,” Bryn reported. “The battle is still going on, but the rebels are winning. They need only dispatch the final few Mir soldiers. It won’t be long now.”
“And my brother?”
“Christof was alive and well when last I saw him,” Bryn reassured her. “He’s a strong fighter.”
Illiana whispered a prayer of gratitude under her breath. Then she raised the lantern and ushered them toward the door she had propped open.
“Bryn, your brother is outside the throne room, hidden on the balcony. He’s ready to take the throne and declare his rightful rule. We need only gather the advisors as witnesses.”
“I’ll get them,” Bryn said confidently. “They still believe me to be the crown heir. They’ll listen to me even if they don’t wish to. Rangar, help Illiana get Mars into the throne room. Once they realize he’s blind, they might question his ability to lead. We need him to appear as kingly as possible.”
Rather than answering, Rangar’s hand tightened on her back. He took a moment to brush her tangled hair off her face. “You’re all right, Bryn?”
