“Hello,” I murmured, straightening. King Valyn’s brows lifted, and then he lurched toward me, his sword rising. My heart stuttered as panic seized me. I froze in horrified disbelief. He was going to— Grabbing my arm as he thrust out with his sword, he yanked me to the side. Air punched out of my lungs as I stumbled, finding a masked Gyrm impaled on the King’s sword. “T-thank you,” I stuttered as the thing shattered. Amber eyes flashed to mine. “Did you think my strike was meant for you?” he asked. “I…” Good gods, I really had.
