“You are welcome to stay, but if you leave you are leaving without me. And without my help.”

Meg couldn’t breathe. She gaped at James, standing so resolutely in front of her, arms crossed. Her eyes flew to the woman lounging on the settee across the room. Smug witch. Meg’s blood boiled with anger – and fear. A lot of fear.

“You heard him,” the woman spoke, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. Her icy blue eyes sparked with her sense victory.

Meg pulled at the collar of her black shirt. How ridiculous she must look, decked out for a rescue mission and no one to rescue. Was this some kind of trick? Some new plan? She eyed him closely.

“This is what I have chosen,” he said.

Footsteps outside in the hall. The only escape was through the window behind the blonde. Could she leave James behind with the enemy? Their future flashed before her eyes. Always fighting, always at odds. Could she live with that?