We uttered the last words and the mark on my chest burned as though a flame had touched it. Ronan released my hands and stepped away from the king. I moved more slowly, testing each step before I put my weight into it. My strength would take a few minutes to return.
“Did it work?” the king asked. “Where is her mark? We need to check.”
My hands flew to my bodice. King or no, I wasn’t about to let him check.
“I’m sure the incantation was successful,” Ronan said. “We performed it flawlessly.”
The king grunted, unmollified. “What if women can’t be a part of the reflecting spell? We’d best see her mark to be certain it’s changed to red.”
Ronan took a protective step toward me. “It would be improper to look.”
“I’ll examine it,” I said, “as soon as I have the privacy to do so.” Almost without pause, I added, “I’ll go into the secret passageway and check.”
I didn’t need to worry about running into Lord Clement there. If he returned with a mage, he would bring him through the main door. I was eager for any excuse to go to the passageway where I could intercept Alaric. Although hopefully, he wouldn’t find me while I was undressing to see if my mark was now as reddened as it felt.
King Leofric dismissed my suggestion with a wave of his hand. “The passages are dimly lit. Just undress by the fire, and Mage Warison and I will look elsewhere until you finish.” He turned his back to me, already assuming I would comply.
My gaze went to Ronan, silently asking for help.
“Check quickly.” Ronan turned his back as well. “Then King Leofric and I can go tell the mages that the traitor wizard is dead and their magic is safe.”
I stifled a groan. Every moment I delayed finding Alaric put him in danger. I worked at my lacings, which fortunately were in the front of this gown. “Have you any idea how long it takes for a woman to undress?”
“No,” Ronan said, “but I can help if you like.”
Such gallantry.
The king turned his head to give Ronan a reproving look.
“I’m only thinking of your life, sire,” Ronan said.
I glanced at the wall with the passageway. And my heart stopped. The edge of the tapestry had been pushed away from the doorway to allow a large bow and arrow to protrude. And the bow had already been drawn back.
Alaric.
“No!” I screamed, hoping he would recognize my voice.
I was still screaming when the arrow sliced across the room and struck deep into the king’s back. He stumbled forward at the impact. Ronan whirled, wand raised to strike at the intruder.
The tapestry swished back over the door. Alaric must be retreating.
King Leofric straightened and the arrow spit out of his back. No blood darkened his clothing. Not even the hole remained in his robe. When he turned, his expression was unmarred of any pain. “No need to check your mark after all,” he said. “The incantation worked.”
I’d just caused Alaric’s death. No, perhaps not his death. Alaric might not have delivered a fatal wound. Perhaps the injury was one that magic could cure. Alaric might yet get away.
I ran to the tapestry, yanked it away from the wall, and pushed open the door. The passageway was dim and dank, filled with shadows. I rushed inside anyway and nearly ran into a man who stood, one hand on the wall, not far away.
I blinked, letting my eyes adjust to the light.
He wasn’t Alaric.
Lord Clement stared at me, eyes bulging in anger. He placed a heavy hand on my shoulder, blocking my way forward. He must have come back without a mage and was now wondering who I was and why I was tearing into the passageway.
I didn’t have time to think of an excuse. I needed to dart around him to find Alaric.
The next moment, I realized Lord Clement wasn’t trying to block my way. He’d put his hand on my shoulder to steady himself. His other hand went to his back, the same spot where King Leofric was shot. When he lifted his hand, blood darkened it.
I hadn’t heard Ronan enter the passageway but he was at my side, pulling the man away from me. “You tried to kill your brother-in-law?” It was more of an exclamation of disgust than a question. Ronan shoved Lord Clement toward the door.