Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

Carys crouched. “I know you’re in pain, and I don’t want to make it worse, but I can.”

He sneered. “You and your kind are weak.”

She pressed her palm to his slashed arm, and blue light glowed. He cried out. “Don’t think because I am a just and empathetic leader that I won’t do the difficult things required to protect my people. Your species has attacked mine so many times, and attacked and subjugated others. You just tried to kill me and my guard.”

Another flare of blue. The Gek’Dragar leaned forward and dry heaved.

“Why did you abduct me?” Her voice was sharper than a blade.

The alien bared his teeth. “To send your people into a panic. To prepare for what is to come, and make it easier for us to destroy the Oronis.”

“How?”

Now, he smiled, his expression hideous. “Consumed in the most beautiful way. Our weapon will destroy you all.”

Sten frowned. Weapon? “What weapon?”

“The end of Oron is coming.” The Gek’Dragar raised his voice. “Soon, my people will launch their attack. You will die, Knightqueen, like all your people. We will make you watch the destruction. The Gek’Dragar will prevail. We are the strongest of all—”

Sten had had enough. He formed his sword, then stabbed the Gek’Dragar through the neck.

The Gek’Dragar choked, then slumped forward.

Carys arched a brow at Sten.

“I couldn’t take anymore,” he grumbled.

“Come on.” She leaned into him. “We need to go.”

They hobbled across the ravine and started up the path on the other side.

“It’ll be dark again soon. We need shelter.” But he was in no condition to find shelter for them. Even just walking was an exercise in agony. He didn’t tell her, but he was bleeding internally.

They hobbled up the path. A wind blew in, making Carys’ hair dance. They glanced across the mountains, and he exhaled forcefully.

Clouds were blowing in. Fast.

A storm.

Lightning speared through the clouds, followed by a crack of thunder. The wind picked up, blowing hard against them.

“Keep moving,” she said grimly.

“If the wind gets worse, it’ll knock us off this path.”

“Positive thinking, Thorsten.”

The wind got stronger. Soon they were walking half bent over, fighting for every step. Little rocks started pelting them. One hit Carys’ cheek, drawing blood.

With a gasp, she pressed a hand to her face. Jaw tight, Sten shouldered in front of her, shielding her with his body.

“Sten, you’re hurt,” she protested.

“Doesn’t change anything.” It was his duty to keep her safe.

They moved a little farther, and he realized it was getting harder and harder to see. Despair engulfed him. He needed to find somewhere safe for Carys.

But they were stuck on a narrow cliff path with a deadly drop right beside them.