The Sorcerer's Ring: Book 05 - A Vow of Glory by Morgan Rice

see, now there is nothing left
between us. Now it is time for us to marry. If not me, then who else? You will
be left alone in this world. Don’t be scared. You can admit your true
affections for me.”
    Gwen
seethed.
    “I'm
only going to say this once," she said slowly. "Listen closely this
time, because this is the last time you will ever hear these words. I have no love
for you. I don't want to see your face. I don't want to hear your voice. If you
come before me again unannounced, I will have you arrested. Now leave me.”
    With
that, Gwen turned her back on him, and took two steps forward, looking back out
over the parapets, surveying the Canyon. Her heart was pounding inside, and she
prayed that this time he would get the message, would leave, and that she would
never see his face again. She was shaking with anger at his presumptuousness,
and she didn't want to do anything rash.
    Gwen did
not hear his footsteps retreating. She was about to turn and look, when
suddenly, she felt a strong hand covering her mouth, and another reaching
around and grabbing her by the chest. Alton held her tight, even as she
struggled, and he was surprisingly strong for a thin and bony boy. He took
several steps forward with her, leaning her forward over the edge of the
parapet.
    Gwen's
heart plummeted, as she looked straight down at the fall, and realized how
close she was to being pushed over the edge.
    "Do
you see that drop before you?” Alton cried. “Do you see what I can do? Admit
your love for me. Admit it! If you do not, I will—"
    Gwen
suddenly remembered all that her father's fighters had taught her. She remembered
that she wore boots with wooden heels, and she raised a foot high, and stomped
down swiftly on Alton’s toe.
    He
screamed out like a girl, losing his grip, and she freed one arm, pulled it
forward, and then elbowed him in the solar plexus.
    He gasped,
and knelt down, wheezing.
    Then
he looked up at her, death in his eyes, and stood, preparing to charge again.
    Gwen
reached for the dagger in her belt, prepared to draw it.
    But Alton
suddenly screamed out and dropped to his knees.
    Gwen
saw Steffen standing there, and realized he had just punched Alton hard in the
small of his back. Steffen grabbed Alton by his hair, pulled his head back to
the sky, pulled a dagger from his waist, and held it firmly to Alton's throat.
    "Give
me word, my lady," Steffen said, "and this piece of trash will be
gone from the annals of the MacGils.”
    "Please,
please!" Alton whimpered. "Please don't do this! I didn't mean it. I
just wanted to be with you!”
    Alton
looked pathetic, kneeling there, whimpering, begging for mercy.
    "I
should have him cut your throat right now," Gwendolyn seethed, still
reeling from being pushed over the edge like that. It scared her to think of
how close she had come.
    "Please!"
Alton pleaded. "You can’t kill me! I am royalty after all! It is forbidden
for you to touch me!”
    There
was a sudden commotion and several men burst onto the roof. Srog led the way,
along with Kolk, Brom and several members of the Silver. They all ran up to
her, and several soldiers grabbed Alton roughly, yanking him to his feet and
holding him in place.
    "My
lady," Srog said, breathing hard, looking embarrassed, "please accept
my most humble apologies. Somehow this boy slipped past the guards. He told
them he was royalty, that he was related to you.”
    Gwen
was still shaking from the encounter, but she dared not show it.
    "I
thank you for your concern," she said, trying to use her queenly voice, trying
to step into the role they expected of her. "But I am fine. He is but a
foolish boy, and Steffen was here to help.”
    Srog
nodded gratefully to Steffen.
    "Silesian
law demands that any person who lays a hand on a king or queen must be put to
death,” Srog said.
    "NO!"
Alton screamed, weeping like a child. "Please! You can’t!”
    Gwen
looked down at him, shaking her head. As pathetic as he was, she couldn't stand
the thought of