For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Arnold's eyes flicked from Father Damien's grip to the faces of his guards. Surprise hardened into something darker—amusement, then fury.
"You forget yourself," Arnold said quietly.
Father Damien didn't release his wrist. His fingers tightened instead, steady despite the storm raging inside him.
"You will not touch her again."
Father Damien wished he had challenged Arnold the previous day. Those bruises were still fresh in his memories, and he couldn't stand by and let it happen again.
A murmur rippled through the onlookers. No one had ever spoken to Arnold like that. Not here. Not ever.
But Father Damien had stopped him. He even heard his hands, showing not a sign of fear or remorse for what he did.
Arnold laughed softly.
"You se
