MARIENNE
My legs threatened to fold out from under me. By some miracle, I managed to stagger closer to Erik, holding onto the wall for support as I went.
“No, no. Erik!”
I had been so close. I’d rounded the corner just a half-second too late.
Stavrok bellowed out a battle cry, tearing after the group of raiders who had managed to get past the castle walls. The lifeless body of Erik’s attacker lay beside him.
I ignored the corpse, dropping to my knees, and tugged at Erik until his head was cradled in my lap.
This was my vision and it had come true. Nothing I had done today had changed the course of fate. And now I had to watch the man I loved die right before my eyes.
“Mari.” Erik blinked up at me. His face was pale as ash, and he was clutching his side. He started to say something e
