The words cut through to his very heart. He couldn’t breathe. One hour. They’re going to get her now.
No. No. No. I’m not there yet.
Sebastian nearly cried out, his panic threatening to overwhelm him, but he strangled the sound down. Forced himself to take a breath. It wouldn’t help Kara to lose his head now.
Gods, if you can hear me – please let me get there.
They walked on, their voices fading quickly. He shifted his weight to stand from his hiding place, and froze again. Two more guards crossed the courtyard and headed towards the dungeons – towards him – clearly on morning patrol. Sebastian’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, his crimson answering him in full. His blade felt heavy in his hands, the weight of what he was about to do pressing in on him. These had been his own men, not even long ago. Once comrades, brothers in arms. But now they were a wall between him and Kara. They were doing their duty, he knew that. But they would drag her to her death without a second thought... the woman he–
Not now. You have an hour, maybe less. No time left. You need to get to her.
There is no time for mercy.
No time for hesitation.
The guards came closer.
Sebastian moved.
Then came the sound of clashing steel.
CHAPTER 27
NOW OR NEVER
Any man who raises a hand against the innocent shall answer to Thorne law without mercy and without exception.
–Thorne Code of Honour, Tenet XII
Kara stood beneath the tiny window – scarcely a slit, really. Iron bars, half-buried in stone. Just wide enough to let in the first few rays of pale dawn light. All she could see through it were boots. Shadows. Guards passing above. But she knew what was waiting out there.
The pyre. Her pyre.
They’d come for her soon.
Midday, that’s what they’d said.
Somewhere beyond her sight, she heard steel clash against steel in a sharp rhythm. Guards doing early morning drills. Her Fatàn bracelet suddenly flared hot against her wrist. She lifted her bound hands to look closer – her fingers couldn’t reach it. The rubies were alight. A faint red glow emanating from them.
The iron door creaked behind her.
Her pulse jumped.
This is it.
But no. It was Cade.
Please, no. Not again.
He strolled in casually – like he had all the time in the world. His gaze fell on her bound wrists, and he grinned. He enjoyed this. Her helplessness.
“Rise and shine, firewood. I volunteered to personally come and wake you for your big day.”
She stumbled away, to the far side of the cell.
Keep away from him.
“You look tired, Healer,” he said in mock concern. “Didn’t sleep?”
