All Her Men (The Queen's Men Book 1) by Brina Cary Page A

as well. The ancient castle walls could take no more. “Will, grab her arm. I will grab the other.” She knew. Knew they were getting ready to pull her to safety. Knew they were going to leave Jacob to die. “NO! Jacob! You cannot make them do this! They can save you too!”
    “Lass, I know how ye feel. Although, t’would be nice if ye said the words.”
    They grabbed her upper arms and began pulling her as she screamed in frustration. As they pulled her free, she screamed “I love you, Jacob!” However, the wall fell on top of him, the ceiling going with it as Darren and Will dragged her to safety. As she watched Jacob disappear beneath the debris she could only hope that he had heard her words. Hope that he knew just what he meant to her. In that moment, she knew that she had never really loved before, and she knew she would never love again. His last breath took her heart with it.
    A keening sob tore through her as one of the men picked her up. Cradling her to his chest he whispered to the other. However, she could not make out his words. Gaelic. They had resorted to Gaelic. It did not matter though, she had lost Jacob. Nothing else mattered. The man that loved her was gone. The world was over.
    Her heart was buried in the rubble.
     

 
    Chapter 17
     
    The bombing was such a shock. The city and the country was in mourning. Too much had been lost. Looking out through the door of the small cottage, Amelia felt so lost. In such a short time she had come to care for the country that had claimed her as their queen. They trusted her and now… Now the nation was in mourning. Now she was in mourning.
    The men, her men, had managed to get her out of the tunnel ruins in time. Looking upon them she felt such sorrow overtake her. Jacob was dead.
    He used his body to hold up the wall long enough for her to get out. He used his body to save her. With his very last breath he protected her. “Oh, Jacob… How could you?” She reached up and lightly fingered the necklace he had given her. It symbolized his devotion, his offer of protection. He had fulfilled his vow.
    Her eyes drifted to the men that had dragged her to safety. Would they blame her? Will stood in front of Darren. The two guards were talking quietly. Never would they let her know how bad it was. They had ushered her out of the city before anyone knew she was still alive. How had someone gotten close enough to the castle to plant a bomb?
    Oh God. Edith was dead. So was Fiona. There was no way they could have survived. The blast would have been too strong. Her throat clogged. How many more of her new friends had lost their lives because of her? If she had turned down the monarchy then they would be alive. Unless… Unless Edith had been right and they choose a monarchy to prevent war. Who would want to go to war with them though?
    “Will, Darren,” she called. Turning to her she noticed their eyes. So sad, hardened with a deadly resolve. They would get revenge. Hopefully they would let her join them. They had bandaged their wounds, but not all wounds could be fixed with stitches and bandages. “I am truly sorry for your loss. I know this has been an atrocious day; however, there are things to discuss.”
    “Amelia, we must leave ye here. We must return to let the people know ye live.”
    “That’s what I want to talk to you guys about.” Taking a deep breath she began. “I need to know. Do the people want me as queen or was this an inside job?”
    “Lass, we were picked to protect ye. The SNP made a choice…”
    “Do the people want me as queen? Yes or no.”
    Darren took a step forward. “We would not protect ye if it ‘twas not truth. The people rejoiced when they were told of yer arrival. Parties were held. Ye are our queen. For good or bad, ye are ours. We shall protect ye no matter what harm is tossed our way.”
    “Was this done by someone in the country or was this done by an outside party?”
    “’Tis said a foreigner sent a package this