Violet’s hands moved over his bloody fur to assess the wound, but she didn’t know what to do.Don’t you push arrows through instead of pulling them out? Or is it the other way around?The arrow pointed toward his heart. She couldn’t risk piercing it.If the arrow hasn’t done so already.
The guards who were taking her to Roman searched the ground, their gazes passing right over her. One cursed. “Where is she?” They both surveyed their surroundings.Who are they looking for?
Vivian tripped over Violet and tumbled to the ground beside War’s body.
One guard hauled Vivian up, confusion on his face. “Weren’t you in a dress?”
Violet looked to Roman, close enough to see his face.I can make it.
Vivian yanked out of the guard’s hold and looked around frantically, calling Violet’s name. Roman spotted his ex-mate, sending him from frantic to rabid as he raged harder against the barrier.
“EVERYONE TO THE QUEEN! PROTECT YOUR QUEEN!” he roared, his words cracking through the air. Dread crawled across Violet’s skin as all but Ares and Griff sprinted toward Vivian.
“No,” Violet whispered and turned terror-filled eyes to Roman. He’d said he loved her, yet he’d left her unprotected in favor of Vivian.
Her gaze collided with his, his eyes alight with fear and rage. “PROTECT YOUR QUEEN!”he screamed again, his desperation palpable.
A sob ripped from Violet’s throat, and she hung her head over War’s body in resignation. She couldn’t drag the beast to safety, and she had no combat skills to protect them. Leaving War while he still breathed wasn’t an option. He’d never left her; he showed up and saved her time and again. She’d not leave him here.
Roman continued to scream as Griff barked out orders, but Violet no longer heard them. Her despair was a living thing pressing down on her.
Shadows fell over her, blocking out the midday sun, and she looked up, astonished to see a tight ring of guards surrounding her and War.
She glanced around, searching for her sister.The guards think I’m Vivian.
Ares broke from the circle and felt around blindly. “Where are you?”
Violet cried harder. “Vivian is out there,” she said ruefully and leaned over War again. Ares’ hands bumped against her back.
“Thank the gods,” he breathed, pulling her up. “I need you to wrap your arms around my neck.”
Bewildered, she looked at him. “I’m Violet.”Why did I say that? Let him take you to safety.
“I know who you are, Vi. Roman glamoured you, and I can’t see you. Wrap your arms around my neck and tuck your head against my shoulder so I can take you to him before he bloodies his hands trying to claw through the barrier.”
Her stomach bottomed out. She should have known Roman wouldn’t betray her, that the words he’d told her repeatedly were true. Guilt like she’d never known weighed her down.
Ares lifted her into his arms. “I’ve got her!” he yelled at those around them. “Move!” The warriors and guards surrounding them created an opening, and he took off.
Violet looked back to War and panicked. “We can’t leave War.”
“He’ll be fine,” Ares panted as he ran.
“No,” she pleaded and struggled against his hold. “We can’t leave him!”
Her breathing grew erratic, and her hands began to tingle as her panic climbed. Ares vanished, yet he still held her.Roman’s glamour.She shut her eyes tight, the sensation of floating on air turning her insides. Ares shot across the border into Tropical territory. Seconds later, Roman yanked her out of his arms and sprinted in the opposite direction.
Grief and shock set in as she watched the fighting continue over Roman’s shoulder.
War didn’t move.
* * *
Roman ran until he reached the closest house on the outskirts of the border village. An older man stood outside brushing a horse, and he startled when he saw Roman approach.
“I’m Roman Covington, crown prince, and I need a bed immediately,” Roman insisted roughly.
The man’s eyes widened, and he tossed his brush onto a nearby haystack. “Yes, Your Grace. Is she hurt?”
