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“You brought your army to slaughter innocent people?”

“No, you have a different threat to deal with. One with scales, and if you want to live to help them, you better talk.”

Brunard stared hard into Thane’s face. “Your word on your honor as High Prince that you won’t kill me if I tell you.”

The jaw muscles in Thane’s face twitched. “Fine. I give you my word as High Prince.”

“On your honor.”

“On my honor,” Thane said. Seriously? From what Layala had seen, Thane always kept his word. He was going to let Brunard go?

His head tilted toward his bedchamber. “At the end of my bed, under the chest there is a loose floorboard. It’s there.”

Piper was already pushing against the chest before he finished his sentence. Fingers dipped into a crack, and she pulled the wood plank, and then beheld a round object in brown cloth, tied with twine. She pulled the tie and it fell open, revealing a rough cut, milky-white stone.

The deep roar of Varlett’s mighty dragon form shook the very floors they stood on. Dust dropped down from in between panels in the wood ceiling. Layala gulped and snapped her head toward the windows. How close was she now? Could they fight her off? A vase slipped from a shelf and shattered on the floor.

“We have to go,” Thane said and released his magical hold on Brunard and took a step back. Thane’s gaze fell to her neck, on the spot Brunard had sliced her, and his serene calmness snapped, obliterated like the fragile glass of the vase now scattered on the floor. With a whoosh, his sword cut through the air, and he shoved his blade right through Brunard’s chest.

Layala gasped and slapped her hand across her mouth.

Brunard’s lips gaped open like a dying fish. “You promised. You gave your word,” he wheezed.

“I lied, and my honor as a High Prince means nothing. I am no longer a High Prince,” Thane growled. “You tricked me then tortured me in a cage. And I could have forgiven that, but I can’t forgive you for hurtingthem. I heard everything you said. And you thought you could kiss my girl and walk away?” Thane shook his head slowly. “You knew this was coming. So long, old friend.”

He slid his sword free. Brunard let out a quiet cry and slid down the wall. Blood oozed down his chest over his abdominals and pooled on his lap. The ragged sound he made as he struggled to pull air into his lungs made Layala’s skin crawl. She couldn’t look away, as his every breath rattled, and blood rushed out with each beat of his heart. Thane’s cloak whirled out around him as he spun on his heel. He gave one last look at the balcony then jerked the doors open into the main hall of the manor. “Move. Now, ladies.”

Brunard choked until blood bubbled out of his mouth. Why did a small part of her feel sorry for him? This fallen ruler left dying in his own chambers while a dragon ripped apart his city. Even if his end was what he deserved, it surprised her that Thane went back on his word. She’d come to know him as the playful, flirty male she loved, who felt remorse, believed in sacrifice, duty, and honor, was adored by his people and those who knew him best. She let that overshadow the fact that Thane was also a ruthless killer when it came to protecting those he cared for. She’d seen a flash of that back at Kail’s place, the empty look in his eyes when he cut down his own elven kind. It had startled her. Now she wondered what he would do when it came time to take down another ruler—Thane’s own father. Would the merciless killer or the dutiful son win that battle?

Piper gripped Layala’s arm and tugged her toward the door. “Come on. Thane will need our help. We’re going to have to fight our way out of here now.”

Layala pulled free and grabbed the journal off the table then ran out the exit.

Chapter27

The soft red carpet brushed Layala’s bare feet as she dashed down the stairs. Guards and the house staff ran in every direction, shouting orders or frantic for help. It was both terrible and a blessing; no one noticed them or cared about their presence. The front doors to the manor opened wide to the chaos outside of people screaming and crying. Acrid gray smoke made the town square hazy. Another great roar rattled the ground. How close was Varlett? Maker above, Layala was in a skimpy outfit with no weapons, and she might have to fight a dragon? She’d never felt so exposed in her life.

A slender guard raced up the stairs, shoving between Layala and Piper. “Lord Brunard!” he hollered.

She paused only to look back and see the guard disappear into Brunard’s chambers. Not good. Not good at all. A beat later he yelled, “Lord Brunard has been assassinated!” He stepped into the archway. “Stop them!”

Shit.

Taking two steps at a time, and half looking over her shoulder at the guard now racing after her, Layala crashed into the back of Thane. The ringing of metal hit her ears then a head plopped to the floor.Did he always have to cut off heads?She stared at the brown eyes looking back at her.So barbaric.With a tight grip on her arm, Thane dragged Layala beside him. Wood splintered as his foot collided with the door and sent it flying. It was the room they’d left their clothes in. “Dress. Quickly.”

“If you hadn’t kicked the door off its hinges, we could have shut it!” Layala hollered snatching up her shirt.

The other door, the one that led into the kitchen flew open and slammed against the wall. Leif and Fennan stood on the other side. “Time to go!” They both said in unison. Leif took in Layala and Piper’s nearly-naked appearance and his eyes doubled in size. Fennan’s jaw dropped as his eyes glided over Piper from head to toe.

With a scoff, Piper quickly threw her shirt on. “Are you going to stand there and ogle or help Thane?”

The dying groan of an elf jerked Layala’s attention. Thane tore his blade free of another guard and his body crumbled to the floor. Three more blades came at Thane in rapid succession, the pinging of metal on metal sang throughout the high ceilings. His skill with a sword was almost magical in itself. His talent beyond his years, as if wielding a weapon was what he was born to do.

Leif dashed to Thane’s aide with sword raised high and a bellow. They both stepped out into the corridor to fight.

A dark blond head popped into the room. Siegfried didn’t seem to care about the state she and Piper were in. “With me, quickly,” he said.

With her top hanging from her teeth, Layala stepped into her pants. Another dragon roar rocked the manor. Much closer this time. How long could the guards hold her off? Or was she simply toying with them? Several minutes passed since they’d first heard her. She could be inside by now.