I held tight to my throne as I stared and tried to control my rapid breaths.
Another warrior pushed forward. “I wish to speak, my king!”
And another, “I wish to speak, my king!”
I shiver slid over my skin.
Oh my God!
Diandra’s fingers squeezed so hard, they caused pain.
And then came another, “I wish to speak, my king!”
And another, “I wish to speak, my king!”
Three more came in simultaneously from three different sides. “I wish to speak, my king!”
Dortak’s arms dropped, he took a step back and his head swung around to take in his brothers, his face now distorted with rage.
His bride didn’t twitch.
More warriors came forward and shouted the same words.
“Enough!” Lahn boomed, I looked to him and saw he had his hand up.
He did not look at me.
I turned back to the clearing to see it now nearly filled with warriors, Dortak and his bowing bride in white.
The air pressed in as I and the silent crowd held our breath.
Finally, Lahn spoke. “Bride of Dortak, give your king your eyes.”
She didn’t hesitate to push up to sitting on her calves and her eyes lifted to Lahn. She was wearing a wide strip of gauze around her br**sts and a thin one was wrapped around the cut on her throat. Her face had been cleaned but her left eye was nearly swollen shut, purple and bruising.
I swallowed again.
“The warriors of Suh Tunak speak for you,” Lahn told her.
She lifted her chin.
“Their wives speak for you,” Lahn went on.
She lifted her chin again.
“Is it your wish for my queen and her women to resurrect your spirit?” Lahn asked and I held onto my throne as Diandra’s fingers clenched into my shoulder.
He was giving her an out!
She shook her head.
No!
I tensed to shoot out of my chair but Diandra’s hand held me down.
“You understand that judgment has been passed?” Lahn asked.
She lifted her chin.