Chapter 7 · The Forged Death Order

"Kneel, Commander Vale. Your wife gets to watch."

The rifle butt smashed into Dorian's shoulder and drove him down beside the tracks.

I drove my elbow into the soldier gripping my arm. He cursed, twisted harder, and made my wedding band bite into my finger.

"Touch him again," I snapped, "and I'll break your nose with my teeth."

Dorian looked over his shoulder. Blood streaked the corner of his mouth, but his voice stayed cold.

"Mara. Don't."

"That's your advice?"

"It's an order."

"You lost the right to order me around when you chained me to this marriage."

The soldier shoved me forward. My boots slid over loose gravel, and I caught myself against the armored train's black steel plating.

Heat burned through my palm. The train shuddered beneath us, brakes screaming under the cars.

Ahead, a red signal glowed over the tracks.

Not a stop signal.

An execution signal.

Three inspection guards stood between us and the engine.