Chapter 28
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
The clang of steel and the shouts of soldiers still echoed around the gates when Captain Sorell approached her, helm tucked under one arm. His eyes were wide with disbelief, his face pale.
“My queen,” he said quickly, bowing his head, “we must get you back to the castle at once. It isn’t safe here—”
“No.” Her voice cut like a whip. “Take me up to the parapet. I will watch.”
Sorell’s head snapped up, shock flashing across his features. “But—Your Majesty, forgive me, that is impossible. You cannot—”
She stepped toward him, closing the distance, her gaze unyielding. “I have ridden the plains while you hid behind these walls, Captain. If you dare to question me again, I will remove you from your post and appoint someone with a spine.”
A murmur rippled among the guards. One by one, they lowered their heads in assent. Sorell’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing more.
“Good,” she said sharply. “Now take me up.”
They led her toward the tower, and she climbed the winding stairs swiftly, her skirts clutched in one hand, her heart a thunder in her chest. Dread curled in her stomach, every step bringing her closer to what she both feared and longed to see.
Rakhal had told her he would fight. She had seen it in his eyes—the resoluteness, the unshakable certainty.
And despite everything that had happened, she believed him.
This mad shadow prince.
And now… gods help her… she desperately wanted him to win.