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The Arachdeht Micah and his people more time At least another hour, perhaps even two It would have to be enough Diving through the clouds, he made his way back to the castle, where Bard had formed the able-bodied into a last line of defense, their backs to the castle walls

A sroup of men, however, stood apart, on top of the battle the Black Castle from intruders The defenders had orders to run inside, but some would inevitably be left behind, prey to the Arachde beside Bard and Liliana, he said, "Send theht To protect"

But Liliana was nodding "They possess no offensive ainst the Arachdeh if Micah were my father, he’d send those "

"Your father doesn’t sound like a goodfathered someone like his storyteller - who cried because she’d torn her red dress and kissed hih "He isn’t"

"Bard" Micah nodded "Lead the, for if it falls, all is lost" The truth was, if the Arachdem reached the castle, it meant Micah was dead, at which point the defenses of the Black Castle would engage on their own Those defenses were i could penetrate - but it took the death of a Guardian to raise them

However, every man had his pride, needed to know that he could protect his ho that Bard’s eyes told hi an to head back, but Micah stopped hio still

"You cannot" He held the ent, scholarly eyes "If I fall, the next lord will need your guidance"

Bard’s expression filled with defiance, but Micah shook his head and, at long last, Bard nodded His footsteps thundered on the earth, followed ave the villagers their new orders There were raised shouts, resistance, but Bard was a general He got what he wanted

Soon, only Micah and Liliana stood on the edge of the village, the Black Castle loo Forest "If I order you to leave," Micah said, knowing she wouldn’t go, not his brave Liliana, but needing to protect her, "ill you do?"

"Hit you with a stick" She followed her words with a gentle Liliana kiss "I stand with you, Micah"

So soft was his Lily But that didn’tHe didn’t atteain "They haven’t lowered the final gate," he said, having risen into the air to check

"Of course not They’ll wait until the last possible moment, until they’re certain on’t make it"

"Do you believe on’t?"

"Never" Her voice was fierce "You carry the heart of a kingdom, Micah This will not defeat you"

He didn’t understand her words, though they nudged awake that violent pain in his head once ," he said, shoving away the excruciating sensation

"Not as strong as his"

"I give you mine freely" He curved his hand around her nape "If the time comes, take it and use it to protect eable stor "Whatever happens, you must return Do you understand?"

He assumed she spoke of the Black Castle, and so he nodded

Liliana’s expression changed to one he couldn’t read "Micah, I have so, but - "

"After, Lily," he interrupted "I sense the his arth of the Abyss, she rose on tiptoe to press her lips to his own