Page 121 of Dark Rival

Speke was flung across the wood again, into a tree, so hard she heard his bones crack.

She shoved Aidan aside, somehow standing. She tried to speak, but her throat hurt. “Royce, stop! He may know where Elasaid is!” she rasped.

Royce didn’t look at her. His expression ruthless, he blasted Speke again, his energy lifting him high and sending him into another tree.

“Royce,” Allie cried hoarsely. “Stop, please!”

Aidan said, beside her, “He canna hear ye.” He touched her to restrain her.

She somehow glanced at Aidan and saw kindness and pity in his eyes, which she did not understand. “Stop him,” she begged.

But Royce now lifted Speke and sent him whirling back, toward them. He crashed not far from where Allie stood with Aidan, his body broken and mangled. He would not live much longer.

But he was still very much alive. His red eyes were filled with fear. “I didn’t…touch her….”

Allie shoved free of Aidan, running toward him. “Where is my mother? Where is Moffat keeping her? Where is Elasaid?” she cried.

Speke didn’t look at her. He only had terrified eyes for Royce, who strode toward him. “Ye die,” he said ruthlessly.

“No,” Allie gasped. “Royce, I am begging you!”

But Royce ignored her, staring at Speke. And Allie saw the man’s power, blacker than the night, spiral upward from the creature’s body like a small cyclone. Aidan gripped her arm and Allie cried out in despair. The evil swirled upward into the skies and Speke lay sightless and dead.

“Royce,” she whispered, choking on a sob.

Royce stood still, breathing hard. If he heard her, he gave no sign.

Aidan said quietly, “I lurked. He dinna ken where Elasaid is.”

Allie heard him, but could not take her gaze from Royce. For she felt his fury escalate and his aura turned to flames. Like a forest fire out of control, it raged.

And then his aura contracted as he willed himself into a state of control.

He suddenly looked at her, his eyes silver and hot with restrained wrath.

She went still.

Aidan stepped in front of her. “Yer angry, Royce. But think. She’s yer Innocent,” he said tersely.

Royce didn’t look away from her. “Dinna interfere, Aidan.”

As afraid as she was, as tense and stiff, she managed to speak. “It’s all right.” Their gazes remained locked, his frighteningly hard. “We have to discuss this.”

Royce gave her the coldest, most condescending look she’d ever received. “Talk?” He was scathing. “I dinna wish to speak with ye ever again.”

Allie cringed. “Royce!”

“Ye broke yer word.”

She tensed, her pulse hammering. Carefully, aware of how monumental this moment was for them, she breathed and said, “I promised to obey you—but you didn’t make me promise not to trade myself for Elasaid.”

His eyes widened. “Ye ken I would refuse a trade! I said many times I wouldna trade ye for yer mother. But ye stand before me an’ claim ye dinna disobey?” His eyes blazed.

She inhaled. “Don’t do this.”

“We’re finished.” He turned and gestured furiously at Aidan. “Get her out o’ my sight.”

Aidan dragged her away.