Maisie
My nostrils flared.
I grabbed the bow off the floor, vision bleeding red at the edges as I aimed at her again.
But something sharp pressed against my jugular, a lethal presence pressing against me from behind. "Release it and I'll slit your damned throat."
The sound of the cheers coming from all around us nearly drowned out the words, but I'd recognize that authoritative tone anywhere. "Hello, brother," I said, lowering the useless weapon. "Still the Queen's favourite doormat, I see."
The blade edged deeper into my skin and I felt the warm slide of blood run down my neck. "I told you not to come back."
"Yes, well, everyone knows how terrible I am with instructions," I responded dryly, and groaned when he pulled the knife away, only to grab the back of my collar and shove me aside roughly.
I stumbled into a different pair of hands and when I glanced up, my breath caught.
Empty sterling grey eyes met mine and I breathed, "Bastian."
