Lord of the Abyss - By Nalini Singh Page 0,60

and broken, the bridge of bodies having sunk too deep for the survivors to cross the lava pools.

The Arachdem would recover, but the earth's rebellion had brought Micah and his people more time. At least another hour, perhaps even two. It would have to be enough. Diving through the clouds, he made his way back to the castle, where Bard had formed the able-bodied into a last line of defense, their backs to the castle walls.

A small group of men, however, stood apart, on top of the battlements. If Micah fell, they would lower the final gate, sealing the Black Castle from intruders. The defenders had orders to run inside, but some would inevitably be left behind, prey to the Arachdem. It wasn't an outcome Micah would permit.

Landing beside Bard and Liliana, he said, "Send them all through the gates."

"They want," Bard boomed, "to fight. To protect."

But Liliana was nodding. "They possess no offensive magics and thus stand no chance against the Arachdem." A pause. "Though if Micah were my father, he'd send those men out in front - the Arachdem slow when they are feeding."

"Your father doesn't sound like a good man, Liliana." Micah couldn't imagine such a man having fathered someone like his storyteller - who cried because she'd torn her red dress and kissed him so sweet and tender.

"No." A choked laugh. "He isn't."

"Bard." Micah nodded. "Lead them inside. Tell them they must save the castle from falling, for if it falls, all is lost." The truth was, if the Arachdem reached the castle, it meant Micah was dead, at which point the defenses of the Black Castle would engage on their own. Those defenses were impressive - a shield of black nothing could penetrate - but it took the death of a Guardian to raise them.

However, every man had his pride, needed to know that he could protect his home and his family, and so Micah said this thing that Bard's eyes told him wasn't the truth. "They must," he said to the big man.

Bard finally rumbled his acquiescence and began to head back, but Micah stopped him. "Do not return, Bard."

A silent look that made the air go still.

"You cannot." He held the man's intelligent, scholarly eyes. "If I fall, the next lord will need your guidance."

Bard's expression filled with defiance, but Micah shook his head and, at long last, Bard nodded. His footsteps thundered on the earth, followed minutes later by the sonorous echo of his voice as he gave the villagers their new orders. There were raised shouts, resistance, but Bard was a general. He got what he wanted.

Soon, only Micah and Liliana stood on the edge of the village, the Black Castle looming beyond the Whispering Forest. "If I order you to leave," Micah said, knowing she wouldn't go, not his brave Liliana, but needing to protect her, "what will you do?"

"Hit you with a stick." She followed her words with a gentle Liliana kiss. "I stand with you, Micah."

So soft was his Lily. But that didn't mean she wasn't strong. He didn't attempt to send her to safety again. "They haven't lowered the final gate," he said, having risen into the air to check.

"Of course not. They'll wait until the last possible moment, until they're certain we won't make it."

"Do you believe we won't?"

"Never." Her voice was fierce. "You carry the heart of a kingdom, Micah. This will not defeat you."

He didn't understand her words, though they nudged awake that violent pain in his head once more, stabbing and jabbing. "Your blood is strong," he said, shoving away the excruciating sensation.

"Not as strong as his."

"I give you mine freely." He curved his hand around her nape. "If the time comes, take it and use it to protect my people, my realm."

Her changeable storm-sky eyes filled with power compelling and haunting. "Whatever happens, you must return. Do you understand?"

He assumed she spoke of the Black Castle, and so he nodded.

Liliana's expression changed to one he couldn't read. "Micah, I have something to tell you. I thought to do it this morning, but - "

"After, Lily," he interrupted. "I sense them closing in. It's time."

"Wait!" Grabbing his arm when he would've lifted it to call upon the dark strength of the Abyss, she rose on tiptoe to press her lips to his own.

Not at all averse to this, he reached down to squeeze her bottom. Gasping, she broke the contact. "You're not supposed to do that when I give you a kiss on