Chapter 16 Flipped (d)

"Mallory, if you're willing to accept punishment for your actions, I will not stop you," I warned. "But I don't think your friend deserves to pay with her life because of your actions." Her head quickly turned to me. Fear has dominated her previously weeping face. "Are you going to tell His Majesty?" she quickly asked, her eyes wide open. "I won't but if one of the servants finds her there, they may tell the king," I added. She was suddenly torn. She's too broken to proceed with it but I can see her genuine concern for her friend. I offered her my hand, causing her to look at me with a confused look on her face. "Come, now. You don't want to be seen as a rude friend." She looked at my hand before looking back at me again. "We don't have time for this, Mallory," I added, trying not to sound as demanding as possible. "You have to make a decision right now. Her life is absolutely in peril right now."