“Silence,” Tem snapped at his father as his eyes filled with wrath. “You were too weak to do what was necessary, Father. I will usher in a new dawn for this kingdom.” Lina’s eyes widened in horror as he took another step backward, reaching for the door handle. “As the Queen’s consort, I will rule the Western Court . . . once you all are dead.”

“No!” Delta shouted, but it was too late.

The lock flipped and a swarm of soldiers erupted into the room.

Chapter 42

Chapter Forty-Two

With a curse, Bri darted forward, slicing and hacking her way toward Lina as the masked soldiers crowded the room. In a heartbeat, Lina grabbed her axe, her arms bulging as she choked up on the grip.

“The others will be here any minute; we just have to stay alive until they reach us.” Bri shouted to be heard over the clang of swords. Widening her stance, the wall of soldiers collided into them. “No heroics.”

Lina was as fast as an asp, lifting her axe and dropping it at an angle as though chopping wood. Blood sprayed as she whirled, the other side of her double axe colliding with an attacker’s knee. His leg cracked, the knee bending at a horrific angle, but she didn’t stop. One after another, she hacked away at them like they were wheat to a scythe. Bri wanted to stop and watch her glorious tirade, but too many more were pouring in through the door.

Talhan navigated toward the wall, guarding his back as he took on five soldiers at once. Dozens swept into the room and Bri lost sight of him.

She ducked under a wide punch, her dagger coming up between her attacker’s ribs. Bri took a half step back, kicking him into the next attacker behind him. A rogue sword swung at her, knocking her dagger out of her hands, but she swiftly grabbed another from her belt. She cursed herself, realizing she hadn’t put her knife in her boot in her haste to depart. This dagger was her last weapon; the drying blood made her hand stick to the hilt.

The floor was slick with gore, the stench of blood and bile filling the hot room as the crush of bodies made the fighting more frantic. She could just make out Delta’s head beside Talhan. Saika cowered behind them weaponless, her whole body trembling from head to toe. Bri glanced sideways at Lina, dancing around her attackers and pushing some out as she pulled others in. Complete control and power. Never would Lina cower behind her, and never would she ask Lina to. They could ride off into any battle side by side. Watching the Princess swing her axe, Bri knew here was exactly where she was meant to be—not in the East, but fighting by Lina’s side.