Chapter 302

LYING DAZED ON THE HARD-WET cobblestones, Elena stared in horror as Duke Ryher raised the flanged metal mace high. Throat paralyzed in fear her vision swirled, blackness sucking her down as the mace fell.

'Ellie, Ellie!'

An urgent but familiar voice broke into Elena's mind, shaking her from the nightmare. There, sitting on the edge of her bed, Verani smiled down at her.

'Looks like I arrived a little too late!'

Elena pressed the back of a hand to her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut to stop any possible tears.

Opening her eyes, she found her sister regarding her warmly. Verani extended her arms and shuffled forward to hug her tight though Elena wouldn't allow herself to do the same.

'Oh, Ellie. It's done. You did it. With both intact!'

Nodding, lips twisted tight to hold back cries, Elena tucked her head in the crook of her sister's neck, and then, only then, did a tear escape.

'Thank you so much for coming, Rani.'