Everything was getting blurry, and Riona struggled to think. Just before she completely blacked out, a rush of air filled her lungs. The suffocating slime wrapping her body melted away, and she collapsed to the ground.
Riona coughed violently, gasping for air. She took deep, ragged breaths as she crawled, her fingers clawing at the earth.
"Cease your insolence. I will not tolerate any more of this," King Valentin's voice thundered through the air.
Under the dark night sky, the king appeared almost heroic to Riona. His large, imposing figure stood before her, shielding her with his body. He lifted a commanding hand toward the elder with a resolute stance.
It was the first time Riona had ever seen him in this light. "Your Majesty…" she whispered.
"Do not stand in my path! I'm doing this for our nation. How can you disregard your people for your personal emotions?" Elder Alfred shouted, dark blood dripping from his mouth.
