Chapter 12 · Under His Banner

"Open the gate, Commander, or we start hanging bodies from it."

Lucian's voice carried through the iron yard before the bell finished ringing.

I stood beside Cedric on the fortress rampart, his shoulder almost touching mine. Below us, the garrison had formed behind the inner wall. Spears up. Crossbows loaded. Black banners snapping from every tower.

And beyond the outer trench, Lucian's army waited in white armor.

My stomach tightened.

Not because he was here.

Because he had come for me.

Cedric glanced at me. "You knew he would follow."

"I knew he would try. There's a difference."

"You brought the difference through my gates."

"You dragged me through them."

His jaw flexed. He kept his eyes on the army below, but his hand brushed mine when a gust shoved my cloak against his leg. His fingers caught the fabric and held it down.

A tiny touch.

A stupid one.

My skin still noticed.

Lucian rode to the front of his formation. His pale coat was spotless, his silver insignia bright against his chest.