Derek let out a quiet, relieved breath. "I'm happy he didn't listen to me," he thought. Ian's disobedience had just saved their lives.
Liam saw the red flare. The arrogant smile vanished from his face instantly. He knew exactly what a red flare meant in the capital. It meant a high-level military emergency. It meant the royal army was being mobilized.
Liam looked back at Derek. He got extremely angry. His hands gripped his bow until his knuckles turned white.
"Derek, you were indeed scheming," Liam spat, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and hatred. He realized he had been played.
Derek gathered the last remaining shreds of his strength. He gently pushed Marissa aside. He stumbled forward, dragging his heavy legs, until he stood in front of Marissa again. He refused to let her protect him. He was her husband. He was her shield.
He leaned on his sword, looking Liam straight in the eyes.
