Chapter 14

The door to the regent’s chambers stood ajar. Tovin’s throat closed to see it—he should have stationed himself here, at this door, and held the barbarians at bay himself. Where were the guards assigned to protect the regent? The corridor was empty save for a bloody handprint on the wall and an abandoned helmet that rolled over the stone when Tovin kicked it. Breaking into a run, Tovin crossed the length of the corridor and pushed through the door, his heart fluttering like a trapped bird in his chest. “Amery?” he called out.

Oh Gods.

In the center of the regent’s sitting room lay a man on his stomach. Blood pooled around the obviously dead body, turning the dark clothing black. A long, red braid trailed down the dead man’s back, the ends of the hair curling where they were dipped in the blood.

Tovin fell to his knees, tears stinging his eyes. Too late. Oh Gods above, I was too damn late.