CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Royce stood at the head of his army in the morning sun, wishing that the world would open up and swallow him. Inside, his heart felt like ashes, left that way by Genevieve’s rejection. Why hadn’t she come back with him? How could she choose Altfor over him?
“Are we ready?” he asked the others. His brothers stood there, and so did Mark. The Picti stood in a wild bunch, already starting to work themselves up into a battle frenzy. Earl Undine’s men stood in neat lines, waiting for orders, while the lines of the villagers and the rebels were a little more ragged, obviously looking to Royce for inspiration.
“We’re ready,” Raymond said.
Lofen nodded. “Just give the order.”
“Not yet,” Royce said. The moment had to be perfect.
It was obvious to him that they couldn’t risk
