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Ravis hits the ground again, flat on his stomach. I wait for him to roll over before leaping upon him—not allowing him to get in a swing.

I’m straddling the prince as I shove his arms above his head.

“That’s it,” Ravis says, clearly embarrassed by the indignity of the situation. “Grab her!” he screams to the fast-approaching guards.

They’ll tackle me in seconds if I don’t get the sword from him!

To me, he adds, “I’m going to hang you for this! I should have killed you when I had the chance.”

“Let go of the sword!” I demand.

“No!”

And then a new sound fills the space. Something louder. Pounding hooves and wheels crushing over rock and plant alike.I take my eyes off Ravis for just a second and see Kellyn speed by atop one of the carts used to transport iron ore. He sends guards and other staff leaping away.

But some aren’t quick enough.

Bones crunch under hooves, and the wheels take the bumps so quickly that Kellyn nearly loses his seat a couple of times. He slows the team of horses, turns the cart around, and barrels back this way to take out a fresh wave of new arrivals.

Meanwhile, my struggle with Ravis continues. He’s using his training to uproot me while I push into him with all my strength. I think my stamina will outlast him, but how long will that take?

Ravis releases an arm and throws a punch. I dodge, but the distraction is all he needs to roll us. He comes up on top this time, presses into my lungs, jabs at me with his elbows while trying to release my hold on him.

At the corner of my eye, I see jewels wink in the sun, and I reach out a hand to grab Ravis’s dropped dagger.

Then I’ve got the blade pressed against his neck with one hand, the other clasping his against the sword.

“Drop it or I will slit your throat with your own weapon,” I say.

The sword clatters to the ground.

“Now get off me,” I command.

He stands, leaving me lying in the dirt. His eyes land on something behind me. He lets out a laugh. “You’ve lost, and now—”

The prince collapses to the ground, his chest rising and falling in deep and even breaths. I finally stand, coming up with the newly magicked sword I just flicked in Ravis’s direction.

I’m breathing heavily as I turn, sweat and blood dripping down my arm, snores sounding all around me.

“Not a step closer,” a guard says. She and half a dozen others have swords pointed at Kellyn’s chest. What feels like hundredsmore are pouring out of the palace, heeding the call. But those already present have seen what the sword can do and clearly have no desire to get any closer to it, instead thinking to help their sovereign by threatening me with my weakness yet again.

That mercenary!

“I did my best,” Kellyn says. “But you’re free. Go. No one will dare stop you while you carry that thing.” He flicks his chin toward my new sword.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” the guard closest to Kellyn says. She must be the next in charge after Strax. “You’re going to drop the sword or I’m going to gut him like a fish.”

I’m still so many leagues beyond scared. Adrenaline pumps through my veins. Yet the magic of the sword keeps me feeling refreshed and alive.

There’s only one choice to make.

“Sorry, Kellyn,” I say.

I swing faster than the guards can react.

Kellyn goes down with all the men surrounding him, their weapons falling uselessly to the ground. Soldiers out of the sword’s reach charge forward, but I swing before they can get too close, until Ravis’s palace lawns are covered in sleeping bodies.

I wait a few minutes to see if anyone else will come, but with the leaders of Ravis’s ranks all sound asleep, there’s no one to give orders. Seeing the scene around me, any servants or guards left standing aren’t daring to approach me. The warning bells have long since stopped ringing.