Page 125 of A Warrior's Heart

“I knew yours would fail,” James told him before his gaze landed on me. “The light in your eyes has returned, little beauty. For that, I’m pleased.”

Malik stepped closer to me, his lethal gaze aimed at James. “Release the boy. He is only a child.”

“I don’t wish to harm the boy, but I will if I must. His fate is in the prince’s hands now.” James stepped closer to Lorcan, a smile on his lips. His eyes, however, didn’t match that action. He seemed almost… hesitant. Wary. “What will it be, little fish?”

“You bastard.” Lorcan’s voice shook as he glared at the king. He then looked at his son, his eyes pained.

King James had known Lorcan would never surrender the trident in exchange for me. But his son? Was Lorcan so selfless to let his son die in order to save his kingdom?

“I must admit I’m awfully saddened,” James said. “When we met in Ritherdale, you said you were on your way to meet potential suitors. Imagine my surprise when I learned Alek not only still lived, but you had a child as well.”

Lorcan glared at him. “If you ever believed you had a chance with me, you are even more foolish than I thought.”

Trying not to draw attention to myself, I positioned an arrow and debated on who to target. The soldier holding Theron? No. The blade was too close to the child’s neck. The jerk of the man falling might cut the boy. King James? For some reason, I didn’t want to shoot him.

Ezra, then. With him dead, the enemy couldn’t use the trident.

“Stand down, Troy,” James said, peering over at me. “Don’t try to be the hero.”

“Well, dear brother?” Ezra tipped his chin up, smiling at Lorcan. “Give me the trident or watch that soldier slit your son’s throat.”

“Do it, Lorcan,” King Triton said with a note of finality in his voice. “Give them the trident.”

Lorcan clenched his jaw. “They’ll kill you, then do the same to me. Our people will suffer.”

Theron yelped as the soldier grabbed a tight fistful of his silver curls and yanked his head back, the blade pressing against his jugular vein.

“Don’t hurt him!” Lorcan cried.

“You can save him,” James said, nodding to the trident. “All you need to do is release Ezra and surrender.”

“Give me your word that you won’t harm my son or my mate.”

James bowed his head. “You have my word.”

I saw the moment Lorcan made his choice. The fight left his eyes, and he lowered the trident, his shoulders hunching as he hung his head.

Ezra stood, wiping the blood off his neck. Lorcan hesitated before holding out the trident for him to take. He snatched it from Lorcan and smirked before glancing over at the soldiers.

“Kill his family.”

“No!” Lorcan yelled.

James held up a hand. “I gave my word they wouldn’t be harmed.” He nodded to the soldiers. “Release them.”

The soldier holding Theron seemed relieved as he placed the boy on the ground. Theron then ran toward Lorcan, silently crying.

“Oh, my love,” Lorcan said, sweeping the boy up into his arms and pressing his face against his hair. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

Alek’s binds were cut, and the cloth was ripped from his eyes. He blinked as he focused on us. They had beaten him horribly. He must’ve put up a big fight before he was captured. His face was black and blue, and both eyes were swollen. Lorcan rushed toward him, slipping an arm around his waist while still holding their son with the other.

“How sweet,” Ezra said, gripping the trident. Unlike when Lorcan held it, it didn’t hum and the runes didn’t react. “Your happiness won’t last for long, dear brother, so enjoy it while you can.”

“You said Prince Lorcan would be unharmed,” James said, eyes narrowing. “Triton is our only target.”

“And you believed me?” Ezra smiled at him. “How a man as clever as you could be so blind is beyond me. Don’t you see, James? Lorcan is crowned prince. Who ascends to the throne once the king is killed? Hmm? Both have to die for our vision to come to life.”

“Your vision?” Lorcan asked.