As Lord Beluar raised his arm, Niamh ducked instinctively.

There was a flash of silver and a metallic sound as the Elflord deflected the item with his bracer. Lord Beluar twisted and grabbed the Queen’s arm, and keeping her behind him, backed out of the doors they had just entered.

“Beware, my King!” he bellowed. “Traitors are among us!”

Something flew past Niamh’s face. Lord Beluar kicked one of the heavy palace doors, and as it swung shut, an arrow embedded ...