That was good. It meant he did not believe her. Maybe he would dismiss her confession.
Blake stood tall and strong—just like the warrior her father told her to be. ‘Yes.’
The prince pressed his hands against the embrasure. ‘You expect me to believe you shot the king from that distance, with that level of accuracy?’
‘Desperate people can do incredible things.’ She swallowed. ‘I know you understand that.’
Harlan was at least fifteen yards from her. Even if he reached her before the other defenders did, then what? He was one man against an army.
‘I do not appreciate being lied to.’
‘I have the longbow,’ Blake said, stepping closer to the wall. ‘It’s hidden in a mattress in our house.’
Harlan’s blood turned to ice.
‘Search her house and bring me the weapon,’ the prince said.
Harlan knew they would find one. He had seen the opening in the mattress with his own eyes. Why had he not confiscated it when he had the chance?
Blake looked in his direction, her face falling when her eyes met his. There was no remorse, only quiet determination. She had done what she could to end the killings, to protect her sisters and mother. That was the kind of warrior she was.
And it was one of the many reasons he loved her.
He was about to go to her when Lyndal pushed through the crowd, stopping beside her sister.
‘I am the king’s killer!’ she called to the prince. ‘The bow belongs to me.’
‘What are you doing?’ Blake whispered, eyes filled with panic.
Borin looked Lyndal up and down. ‘I have to assume you are trying to make me laugh, but I should warn you, I am not in the mood for jokes.’
‘I assure you I’m not here for your entertainment, Your Highness.’
The prince did not appreciate her tone. ‘Have it your way, boor. Arrest them both.’
Harlan’s feet were moving then.
‘It was me!’ a man shouted a few rows back, pushing forwards. ‘I killed the king.’
The prince’s eyes narrowed on him.
Another woman stepped forwards. ‘It was me!’
‘I did it!’ called a young man. The people standing with him looked between themselves, then up at the prince. ‘It was all of us!’
Harlan’s feet slowed. He watched more and more merchants shuffle forwards to confess to a crime they had not committed. Blake and Lyndal turned, shock and awe on their faces as more people risked what little life they had left to protect one of their own.
Soon every merchant was shouting, ‘I did it! I killed the king!’ The chorus of voices bounced between the walls before drifting up to open sky.
‘Enough!’ Borin shouted, slapping a hand on the embrasure.
The crowd fell silent, but their stoic expressions remained.
Harlan’s eyes met Blake’s as he waited to see what would happen next.
‘If you insist on playing these games,’ Borin said, ‘then you can all pay for the crime! Every person who confesses gets an arrow!’ The prince threw his hands up in frustration. ‘Defenders ready!’
Harlan’s hands shot up. ‘Hold!’ He moved towards Blake, looking around at his men. ‘Hold!’
