Page 567 of Reign

Rodrigo and Luis block my view as they work around him.

I hit Rafael’s arm.

“Put me down! I’m not leaving him!”

“I’ve got you,” Rafael says. “You’re okay.”

“I don’t want you! I want my husband!”

My heart is beating too fast.

I can’t breathe.

Luciano is on the ground. There is blood everywhere. Men surround him, pulling at his clothes, touching the belt around his leg, saying things I can’t understand over the roaring inside my head.

“Luciano, no!”

“He’s going to Angelo’s medical wing,” Rafael says. “The trauma team is already on the way. He’s going to be taken care of.”

I try to run toward him.

Rafael pulls me back against his chest.

I claw at his forearms.

“Let me go!”

“I’ll take you to him,” he says. “I promise I will, but you have to let them move him first.”

“They’re taking him away!”

“They’re treating him.”

“I need to go with him.”

“You will.”

Rodrigo, Luis and the other men lift Luciano onto an emergency litter.

His face tightens, but he doesn’t make a sound.

His eyes find mine.

“Rafael.”

“I have her,” Rafael answers.

“No!” I twist toward Luciano. “You have me. I’m coming with you.”

Luciano’s mouth moves, but the men are already carrying him toward the embankment.

“Luciano!”

“I need you safe, princesa,” he calls, but it’s weak. “Go with Rafa.”

Luciano is never weak.

Then the trees block him from me.