“She left a note. She’s gone.”
“Let me see.”
Jace passes it to me in a daze.
Dear Jace,
I am so sorry. But we both deserve more than this. I am releasing you from your word and your obligation to me. I know this may not be what my father hoped for. I have to believe that he valued our individual happiness as much as his legacy. Please forgive me.
With love and regret,
Sorscha
“Oh my god.”
“I don’t understand. She just disappeared? No one saw her leave?” Zadyn asks.
Jaceruns a hand through his hair, looking spent. “Max checked with every guard on watch.”
“We need to send out a search party.”
“My men are already searching,” Max assures me.
Jace sinks onto the edge of the bed, his shoulders curling inward. “What’s the use? To drag her back? Force her down the aisle? I’m not Kylian.” I try not to flinch at that statement. “This is all my fault.”
“It is not, Jace.”
The door cracks open, and Kai’s mess of raven hair pops through. “I’m a firm believer in being fashionably late, but the wedding guestsareabout to whip out the pitchforks?—”
He stops when he sees the matching looks of dismay on our faces.
Dover pushes in behind him, glancing around. “Woah—what’s the matter?”
“Sorscha is missing,” Mar says.
“She ran away,” I clarify.
Kai bursts into laughter.
“Why are you laughing?! This is not funny, Kai.”
“It’s just that I’ve known Sorscha for a long time.” He plops down in the center of the bed, popping open the button of his jacket to reveal a sleek black collared shirt beneath. “Suffice it to say, I am not surprised by this sudden turn of events. Not in the least.”
“Well, if you know her so well, then maybe you could shed some light on where she’s run off to.” I lean against the bedpost, crossing my arms.
Kai shrugs. “Wish I could, savior, but she’s predictable in that she’sunpredictable.”
“He’s right,” Dover agrees.
I toss my hands up. “Wonderful.”
“You should stop infantilizing her. She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.”
Mar gapes at Kai. “She is the future Queen of Aegar! She should not be out there unprotected—especially when we are on the brink of war!”
“Our men are already scouring the city for her.” Max stepsforward, his calm jade eyes locking with each of ours. “We will find her.”
“We can’t just sit around and wait.” I gather up my dress, heading for the door.
