"Oriana," Evanthe called.
"My apologies, but I have to protect her," Oriana said in a firm stance as she looked at her own people. "I will fight each attack you hurl in her way."
"Princess Esmerray, I warn you to stay out of it," Draven warned. "This is a matter between Zaria and this kingdom."
"And I stand between her and this kingdom," Oriana retorted. "You are free to have a spar with me until one of us dies."
Oriana was Arlan's mate and their friend. They would never want to fight against her, nor had they ever expected to stand against her one day.
"Oriana," Arlan called her. "If your master is unjust, you don't have a liability to protect her. One's first responsibility is to stand with justice."
"Arlan, it would be better if you stay out of it. I won't hurt you, as you are my mate," she said. "But if you want to, you can hurt me. I won't hold it against you. At this moment, I am with my master. Even if she is wrong, I must protect her."
