"Let me go! I'm innocent! Let go of me!"
Julia's scream tore through the corridor as she thrashed violently beneath the guard pinning her to the ground. She clawed at the marble floor, kicked, twisted, and fought like a cornered animal.
But the man restraining her was much stronger than she was, the more she squirmed, the more he pressed her down harder, forcing the air from her lungs. Pain flared through her ribs as she gasped, her body straining under his weight.
"I said let me go!" she shrieked again, her voice cracking.
"Inform his majesty immediately!" the guard barked to his companion without loosening his grip. "Now, hurry!"
The second guard didn't hesitate, he turned and rushed back toward the banquet hall, shoving past guests who recoiled in outrage at his lack of decorum. Silks rustled and voices rose in protest, but urgency outran etiquette.
Nathan saw him before the man even reached him, the guard looked pale, he was breathless and clearly panicked.
