THE LAST QUEEN

nt ranks of Aethel. His brow lifted, a cruel smile stretched

storm of hooves and steel. The soldiers of Aethel sto

through the air. The nearest foe had no chance

risly arc, spattering

ing it once before sliding it into the bowstring. With a predator's focus, he narrowe

sickening crack. His head snapped up, and his eyes locked with Torin's. At

oment. The arrow hammered into the metal, the force jolting his a

dreadful roar. Driving his horse into the fray, he hac

ings surged forward. Their collision shook the ground, an

! Cra

only their duel remained, ste

ke ripped through an enemy's belly. A hea

swept through the lines as men turned their horses to flee. Defeat was etched into their faces as

AETH

c's beloved wife, saw the enemy approaching, dust rising

rgency. Bursting into her sons' chamber, she f

r first son as she swept ten-year-old Q

o, my love,"

own only to her, Eldric, and their c

into the tunn

, I am

you must be brave. You are strong, just like your father

cheeks as she kissed his

in his eyes, stepping back slo

r voice shaky, trying t

wing his figure. Charlotte watched until he vanish

eir steeds charging with eyes glowing crimson, while the towns

wore the smug confidence of a man certain that triumph already belonged to them. Behind him,

ss, the metallic scrape cutting through the

r own blood," he thundered, his voice rolling deep an

eper into Aethel, butchering every man, violating the women before ending their lives, and cutting down the chi

ken. His eyes swept from the gates of the royal castle to

long enough for the tension to throb in the air li

with a tilt of his head, and the warriors at his back ob

ase... please... no!" someone screamed, the sound splintering before it was abruptl

ingers twice. A soldier approached, carrying a rough l

cry shattered the silence, jolting Charlotte to h

rment. Her eyes widened in terror as she saw h

fell in frantic breaths. Her gaze swept across the hall until it caught on a lifeless man sprawled

dged with fury, the first sparks of rage igniting beneath

above her heart. It had been thrown with predatory accuracy, released mid-spin by Tori

t the crushing hold of Torin's guards, wh

er grasp. With one hand braced against the floor, she clutched the dag

yes shifted toward Draven, who met his stare with burning defiance. Yet beneath that blaze, Torin saw more than fury. Beauty burned wit

nd he turned back to Charlotte. She staggered upright, blood streaming between her fin