Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

Shakily, Carys pulled away from him. “Well, that was wild.”

She wouldn’t meet his gaze. Hadn’t since they’d woken up this morning.

His gut felt like it was filled with rocks.

He’d lied to her, and in the process, he’d hurt her. It’s for the best. His hands flexed. It was what he had to keep telling himself.

I am Knightguard Thorsten Carahan. It is my duty to protect my queen. I am her sword, her shield, and her devoted servant.

He’d spent years trying to lock down his feelings for her.

Now she wouldn’t even look at him.

Get her out of this safely. That’s all he could focus on right now.

The cart picked up speed again, and his gut lurched. “Stay down. We need—”

The low, rumbling noise grew again. More flying creatures were coming.

He cursed.

They streamed upward from the blackness like a nightmare. Sten formed an energy ball and threw it. They scattered, their wild screeches hurting his ears. The ball hit the rock wall, sending rocks tumbling down into the chasm. He threw another energy ball. This one clipped some of creatures, and he saw them slam into the rail above. The entire structure shuddered.

“Maybe don’t knock the already unstable mine rail down,” Carys said with a gasp. “At least not while we’re hanging from it.”

He grunted.

Thankfully, the cloud of flying creatures arrowed downward and disappeared.

“I see light ahead.” She leaned forward. “What is that?”

A bluish glow lay in the distance, growing brighter.

Suddenly, the cart jolted to a hard stop.

Sten staggered, but managed to catch himself.

Carys wasn’t as lucky.

In horror, he watched her lose her balance, waving her arms. Then she tipped over the edge of the cart with a sharp cry.

“Carys!” He lunged forward.

He gripped the control console with one hand and thrust his other arm over the edge. He caught her hand and held on tight.

She hung below him. Thankfully she was a knight, so she didn’t kick or scream in panic.

“Sten…” Her voice was strained.

“I’ve got you.”

She looked down, then quickly jerked her gaze back to his. “Please, don’t let go.”

“I’ll never let you go.”

Stunning gold eyes stayed locked on his. “I know. I trust you more than I trust anyone.”

He felt a wrench in his chest, then hauled her up and back into the cart.