Let’s split off,I say to Jace and Dover.I’ll check Kylian’s rooms, you take the east wing.Jace nods, his face concealed beneath the golden helmet.
“Sire.”
I freeze at the sound of that voice.
Jace tenses beside me. Before Dover can turn, Jace grips the back of his neck and shoves him forward, guiding him away. I pray Mal didn’t get close enough to recognize him.
Keep it together,I warn Jace. I can feel his blood boiling like a riot in my head.
Watch him,is all he says as their footsteps disappear around the corner.
I turn to face Mal’s harsh green-eyed gaze. “What is it, Mal? I’ve matters to tend to.”
“I didn’t expect you to be out hunting this morning.”
I continue walking, not giving him the time of day. “A male can’t let off some steam the morning of his wedding?”
“Apologies, my King. I was not informed,” Mal says, his voice calm and removed as he trails me up the stairs.
I’ve committed the layout of this place to memory from the renderings Dover helped me map out. I stop before Kylian’s door, praying to find Serena alone behind it.
“If you must bore someone to death with your prattling, save it for my mother. I’m not interested. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a wedding to tend to.”
“Sire.” I pause, my hand on the door handle. “That’s a linen closet.”
Fuck.
His eyes narrow suspiciously. I get in his face, doubling down.
“I know that, you imbecile. I intend tobathebefore my wedding, and I do not have time to wait for these useless servants to fetch me fresh towels. Now go make yourself useful before I lose my patience.”
Mal looks unconvinced, his stone face unreadable. But then he steps back, etching a deep bow before retreating down the steps.
I wait until his fiery hair disappears before continuing down the hall.
A linen closet? Nice. Really believable,Dover chuckles.
Shut up.
You’re two doors off.
I approach the correct door. Hopefully. Pressing my ear against the wood, I wait to pick up any sounds within. Then I burst inside, scanning the empty room for any sign of her. I try every door in the wing.
Nothing.
Zadyn. What in the seven hells is going on?Jace snaps.
She’s not here.
I dart back down the stairs to the main hall. But before I can reach the bottom, Mal appears in front of me.
“Hello, my King.”
His wicked eyes gleam, and before I can react, a bolt of lightning shoots out to strike me in the chest.
Zadyn? What’s happening?
I groan as my back and head connect with the unforgiving stairs. Mal’s footsteps stop beside my ear as he grips my collar and yanks me an inch off the steps.
