Wings of Grace

Chapter 11

"Lara!" There was no movement.

Lyon had no choice but continue the fight with King Reardon.

She has to be alright. She mustn't die. I can't lose her.

On the inside he felt like he was being torn apart.

Catching only glimpses of Lara's unconscious body draped over the cobblestone pavement, he noticed another dark red stain seeping through onto her green bodice, which fueled his need to end this swordplay as fast as he could. 

"You are the reason she's probably dead." Louis Reardon taunted, after seeing Lyon's pained expression. Moving even closer, as both combatants crossed swords, his voice dripping with poison as he sneered. "My Tiana should never have left me. I'm going to tear you apart, piece by piece for taking what's mine." 

Lyon disengaged before cutting and parrying, blocking every strike.   

"Your foolish endeavours have left you with nothing." Reardon's snarled, his cold words displaying his psychotic behaviour. "After I finish with you, I'll...."

"Lara!" Lyon spoke softly. A deadly quiet lacing each word, that was more effective than if he had shouted, eerily penetrating through even Reardon's irrational layers stopping his flood of insults in mid-flight. 

"Her name is Lara. If you've killed her, I'll see to it personally that your life will be a living hell." Lyon threatened. Reardon was obviously delusional. He was calling her Tiana, whoever she may be. But Lyon knew not to underestimate this crazed man's mastery with a sword. His movement was fluid and his footwork and accuracy, precise.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lara's chest exhale slightly.

She was still alive!

 "Lara never was yours, and she never will be. How could you possibly expect her to want to stay with someone as heartless as you?" Lyon easily deflected the other man's sword as he lunged at his chest.

"You can't rule a kingdom, or a woman, with your heart." Reardon's soulless laughter grated down Lyon's spine. "Women are just like fine gems, to own and be admired, but they need to learn their place. I find a little backhander soon pulls them into line."

"Now I understand why you had to kidnap Lara. No sane woman would choose to be your wife, if fear is the only relationship you offer. You don't know the first thing about love, do you?"

"Love? Hmmf!" Reardon scoffed. "And I suppose you do? You're too soft. You run on your pathetic emotions. How you can possibly call yourself a King is beyond me."

"I don't doubt being civil, is beyond you. You have no concept beyond torture and pain. I will be taking Lara away from this place. Away from you. She will never have to fear me, or my kingdom and I would be proud to have her by my side." (Whoa...did he actually admit.... No. It's not possible. He can't...)

"You will never marry Lara." Lyon's words hit their mark just as poignantly as his blade. Driving his opponent over the edge.

Hatred, enraged by jealousy, made Reardon careless in his endeavour to kill Lyon. His face had distorted, taking on a whole new look.

Just who did this mindless fool think he was? Waltzing into his kingdom and stealing his beloved bride to be.

The death of this one will give him great pleasure. Just the thought of drawing Lyon's blood on his sword dilated his pupils, causing the flaring of his nostrils.

His sword would bring this young fool tumbling to his knees. But the final victory would be done with his own hands.

 Reardon felt the strength grow within him, feeding his sadistic thoughts on, as he imagined himself plucking Lyon's very last breath .