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Torin’s shoulders tensed. He was calculating, but what could he do? He was wounded, weakened, I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. And there were four men against him, more out in the corridor.

And of course I was here, he would have to protect me.

I grabbed his sleeve. “Torin, don’t⁠—”

He glanced at me, his eyes gone as cold as the king’s, but I said it again, “Torin, please.”

He nodded once, then exhaled in a huff and took his hands off the hilt of his sword. He let the guards take his arms. They were not gentle. One of them twisted his injured shoulder and he sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth.

But he did not fight.

“Alexandria,” his voice was low and steady, “stay with Niall. Daena do anythin’ foolish.”

“But… are they taking you?”

“Aye—”

My eyes locked on his. “But where? Where are they taking you?”

I looked at the king, “Where is he going? I don’t understand.”

I was beginning to panic.

They were taking Torin away.

He was the only person in the world who knew I was here, how to maybe get me home. I grabbed his shirt. Maybe I could keep him here, maybe they would let him stay if I held his shirt — but a guard ripped his shirt from my grip.

I folded my hands and begged the king, “Please, he’s injured! Don’t hurt him, please, you saw him last night. He can barely stand. You can’t take him, oh god, no.”

I clutched my chest, I was losing my breath.

There were guards holding my husband’s bound arms. Robert the Bruce’s face was cold and unfazed by my pleading, and also, tragically, disappearing under a long tunnel of darkness taking over my vision.

The king’s voice from far away, as I gasped for air: “Lady Alexandria, yer husband will be held, he will be treated according tae his station until I decide otherwise. Ye will remain here under Niall’s care…”

My intake of air was not enough. I gasped. “…he gave you the castle… He nearly died…”

I couldn’t get on top of it.

Torin yelled, “She canna breathe!”

I tried to get air. I clawed at my chest, trying to open the front of the dress so I could draw air into my lungs, but I couldn’t see; there was only roaring in my ears, and then I didn’t remember anything…

I was in Torin’s arms.

“Princess, wake up, wake up, I need ye tae wake up.”

My eyes fluttered open.

His face was very close, coming into focus slowly. “Calm, Princess, be calm, tis all goin’ tae be righted.”

He was staring deep into my eyes.

I locked in on him, followed his example, and took in one staggering breath and then another.

After a minute when I seemed on top of it, he frowned at me, a sad frown, “Och, ye scared me, princess.”

“Is it over, they’re not⁠—”