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.Micah gritted his teeth as shedug out the barb that had lodged in his body.His eyes rolled back into his skull, and his breath rattled in his chest.Suddenly, he gaspedand fell silent.Panicking, she dropped the weapon to the ground.She leaned over him, listeningfor any sign of life.Nothing. Micah! She shook him violently.Heedless of the blood, she laid her head against his heart.There was nothing.No! Hecouldn t be dead.He just couldn t be.She loved him.Tears streaming down her face, she pounded on his chest. You can t leave me, damnyou! I need you! The chancellor s shadow loomed over her. He s dead, girl.Leave him be. She whirled on him. This is your fault, she screamed. You killed him! Chapter SixteenWillem pulled on Elizabeth s arm, trying to drag her from Micah s body.She yankedfrom the chancellor s grasp and landed hard on Micah s chest.Asher shoved the other man away from her. Leave her alone. Micah s body spasmed.He took a sudden, gasping breath and coughed up blood.He wasalive! She hadn t lost him.She still had a chance to save him.Tears of gratitude clogged herthroat.She wouldn t wait any longer.Closing her eyes, she tried to gather her power.As if from a great distance, she heardWillem demanding that she stop, but she ignored him and focused on her mate.She had to savehim.She had to.Closing her eyes, she drew energy from both the heavens and the earth.It gatheredaround her heart, a pulsing living entity within.She prayed it would be enough.When the powergrew so great she couldn t contain it any longer, she laid her hands over the gaping wound inMicah s stomach.The energy flowed from her hands like rushing water, and he jerked violentlyunder her touch.His body drank in the magic like dry dirt absorbed rain.The shallower wounds closedbefore her eyes.It was working.Even the deep wounds began to knit together, and his breathingbecame deeper and more even.Dimly, she registered the collective gasps that sounded all aroundher.When she d released the last of the stored energy, she slumped to the ground at his side.Slowly, his eyes opened and he stared at her. You saved me, he croaked.Despite her exhaustion, a smile tugged at her lips. Of course, I did.I love you. She didn t miss the surprise in his expression.Leaning forward, she summoned enoughstrength to press a soft kiss to his mouth. I love you, she repeated as harsh hands dragged her from the ground and chaos eruptedaround them.Healing Micah had taken nearly every bit of strength she possessed, but still, she tried tofight against the man holding her captive.She glanced around, trying to see who d seized her.Willem s favorite minion grinned evilly at her.Somehow, she found the strength to continuestruggling.Banyon rushed toward them, his sword drawn. Release my daughter! His announcement surprised her captor, and he loosened his grip on her enough that shewas able to plant her elbow in his stomach.She slipped away as he straightened, and Banyon laidhis sword blade along the other man s neck, backing him against the wall of the keep.Elizabeth glanced at Micah who tried to struggle to his feet.Asher rushed to his side tohelp.The gods damn it.Micah needed to be resting after what he d been through.She turnedtoward Banyon in time to see Willem plunging his dagger into his back and twisting violently.Her scream of warning came too late.Willem stepped over his fellow guardian s crumpled body and reached for Elizabeth.Inhorror, she darted to Banyon s side, fearing he was already dead.She rolled him to his back andhis sightless eyes stared skyward.Laying her hand on his chest, she felt for a heartbeat.Therewas nothing.Willem s apprentice caught her and shoved her at his master.Willem twisted her armbehind her back and held his blade, still warm with her father s blood, to her throat. Let her go, Micah warned. You know as well as I that she s broken the sacred law of Maelgwn.She must be put todeath. You will not kill my mate. Micah held Elizabeth s gaze. I forbid it. The courtyard became more crowded as people from every part of the keep gathered toinvestigate the growing commotion. You are not in your right mind, Willem declared.He turned toward the gathered crowdand addressed them. She has bewitched our overlord.She must be executed! Many in the crowd yelled their support, and Elizabeth s heart sank.Even if they survivedthis, and Micah changed the policy, they might not have the support of their people. I am not bewitched. Micah shook off Asher s assistance and limped slowly toward her.He wasn t well enough to attempt rescuing her.He was still too weak after his ordeal theordeal Willem had caused.Her rage surfaced again, and she fought against her captor.Herstruggles died when he pressed the dagger more tightly to her neck. Your overlord has spoken, Willem, Asher said as he approached. Let the girl go. The chancellor nodded toward Micah and Asher. For harboring a criminal against thecrown, your lives are forfeit, as well. No! She would not let this happen.She would not let the man she loved and a dear frienddie because of her. That s not true, she yelled. They didn t know.They re innocent. The crowd s chatter grew louder as they discussed the spectacle before them.If Elizabethcould sway them to her point of view, the populace would balk if Willem tried to carry out histhreat against two of the highest ranking men in the country.If this was the only way she couldput an end to the bloodshed, then so be it. I enchanted them both. That s a lie, Micah roared, his voice growing stronger.Asher rushed forward. You can t kill her.She s carrying the overlord s child. She glanced at Asher in surprise.She hadn t been aware he knew.A cheer rose from thecrowd, and Elizabeth s mouth fell open in surprise.What a fickle lot they were. The child must die, too, Willem screamed. We can t let a tainted heir rule Maelgwn.Itwould be better to let the Cadeyrn rule than a child of her body. She turned her head slightly and spoke directly to Willem. You would know all aboutthat, wouldn t you? You re a traitor.What do you get out of an alliance with the invaders? shetaunted.Perhaps if she kept him distracted, she could get away.He smiled and his rancid breath hit her full in the face.She fought not to gag. I get the only thing worth having, he murmured. Power. She laughed. You don t really think they ll allow you to keep it, do you? You ll be deadwithin a month. His gaze skittered away, and she saw the fear behind his eyes. You d be better off throwing yourself on Micah s mercy, she continued.The blade pressed harder against her skin breaking it.Warm and sticky, her blooddripped past the neckline of her dress.As if mesmerized, he watched the droplets disappear oneafter another.From the corner of her eye, she saw Micah and Asher inching nearer.Willem must havenoticed, too.He dragged her closer to the wall and lifted a smoldering torch from its iron holder.He brandished it in her face. I m not the one that needs mercy. The acrid smoke burned her eyes, making them water. You re going to die just like your mother did, he spat. Screaming in agony. Her rage burned brighter, and she fought harder
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