Page 70 of Savage Crown
“If I am correct,” Godric said, “Maelis’ bedroom chamber is just outside this door, connecting to the gallery. Beyond it is Harrow’s private bedroom.”
I nodded and eased the bar free. It clanked way louder than I wanted, and I froze, but no one shouted. I pushed the door open.
The room beyond was soft and quiet, pale silks at the windows, a bowl of figs on a table. A woman sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her long, dark hair. She lifted her head like she’d expected us. Her eyes found Godric first.
He swallowed hard; his jaw locked when he saw the bruises circling her wrist.
“Sister,” he said.
“Brother?” Her voice sounded like someone waking from a dream. She stood slowly. The brush slipped from her fingers and fell to the carpet.
“Maelis,” I said. It simply felt right to say her name.
‘He knows you’re here,’Val warned.‘I see him controlling her. Be ready for?—’
Maelis lunged at me with a snarl.
I caught her midair, turned her sharply so her back hit my chest, and crossed her arms tight against her. She bucked hard. Godric stared at us like his mind couldn’t process what was happening, no doubt horrified that his sister was being used like a puppet.
“You need to take her and get out of here,” I told Godric. “Take her to the woods and await my call. Do not come back for me.”
Godric shook his head. “I am not leaving you.”
Maelis screamed, throwing her head back and nearly cracking my jaw.
‘I can sever his control on her for a minute,’Val said,‘but I’m also shielding you and Godric. I want to stay sharp for Harrow.’
I agreed. I needed everything we had.
“You are taking her and getting out of here. That is what Kaelric would order,” I said to Godric. “And you know it.”
Maelis suddenly sagged in my arms. Val must have cut the thread. I let go of her.
Godric looked like I’d stabbed him. Maelis blinked, confused, and grabbed her own arms like she couldn’t believe they’d just attacked someone.
“I’m so sorry, I… what happened?” she whispered, seeming to come to.
She looked more alert, glancing from her brother to Valkaryn on my hip.
“I’m not leaving you,” Godric growled.
I glanced at Maelis. “You need to leave with him. Now.”
“She wields Valkaryn,” Maelis said quietly. “We must listen to her.”
‘Order Godric to go. Now. Trust me,’I sent to Kaelric.
‘Why? Are you in danger?’
‘No.’It was the truth.‘But they will be if they don’t go now.’
It was too much for Val to shield them from Mind Render and fight Harrow once he came at me full throttle, which I expected to be very soon.
Godric shut his eyes once, then opened them, and they were yellow.
“Damn you, Brynn. You'd better know what you are doing,” he growled. Kaelric had given the order. “Meet us at the river. If you are not there by dawn, I'll come back inside, and I'll bring the whole damn army with me.”
“Deal,” I said, and meant it.
