He’d lived through its wonders and atrocities alike, and God help her, prevailing dominance radiated from every inch of his form. His force seemed to draw her, like some kind of gravitational pull, and at that moment, Gwen knew she would sell her soul just to be with him.

He remained completely still, watching as his soldiers continued down the path. They passed through the open gates, and amid another beautiful display, formed two lines on either side of the courtyard. Only then did he finally nudge his mount forward.

He rode through the line of men and stopped in its center. Then dismounted, looking to the steps where his family stood with his men. A boy came forward, lifting his palms high in the air, and Greylen unsheathed his sword, placing it upon his steady hands. He ruffled the boy’s hair, a warm smile on his lips. Then he turned his gaze to the window where she stood.

It was a flash of such intensity, a look so chilling, Gwen gasped and stepped back. Her heart seemed to break from that look in his eyes, the hurt he’d shown her for only a second. Furious with herself for being such a coward, and knowing now, too late, she should have been there for him, she ran from the room.

She clutched at the banister with both of her hands, practically tumbling down the stairs in her haste. She grabbed at the door, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fumbled with the latch and pounded in frustration before it finally opened. She pushed her way through Gavin and Lady Madelyn atop the steps, and Greylen’s men at the bottom. Then she stood completely still, relieved, and at the same time terrified, that he hadn’t moved.

Greylen released the breath he held, his eyes closing as Gwendolyn’s presence washed like a balm through his soul. Soothing the ache, the plummet of his heart when he realized she wasn’t there. But then she’d come after all. And quite determinedly too.

He’d heard her cry as she won her battle with the door, throwing it open with such force, Kevin, who must have been leaning against it, nearly fell inside. Then she’d pushed her way through a score of people, stopping short with some distance still between them. And then the world seemingly faded away, till ’twas only just the two of them.

He shook his head, disbelieving she was real and thinking mayhap she was just a trick of his mind. But then the vision started toward him, flawless beauty with waiflike strides.

Gwendolyn.

Her name, but a whisper in his mind for weeks, released now from inconceivable depths. It became a battle cry as his head lifted to the sky. A call answered as hundreds of swords were unsheathed and raised in silent support.