My head throbbed mercilessly as I faced Captain Orion in my study. The pain had been building since dawn, the fever giving way to this relentless pounding that made thinking difficult. I braced myself against the edge of my desk, determined not to show weakness.
"You claim Lord Ravenscroft was killed by your hand, Your Grace?" Orion's voice dripped with accusation, his eyes narrowed as he stood flanked by two of his guards.
"I don't claim anything, Captain," I replied coldly, despite the pain shooting behind my eyes. "I'm stating a fact. Lord Ravenscroft met his end by my sword, as was warranted by his crimes."
Orion's jaw tightened. "Convenient how your enemies keep dying, isn't it? First Baron Beaumont, now Lord Ravenscroft."
"I had nothing to do with Isabella's father's death," I said through gritted teeth, the effort of remaining upright becoming increasingly difficult. "As for Ravenscroft, surely even you can't deny his guilt after all the evidence uncovered."
