There would be no majestic purebred steed involved inthisjourney.
As if conjured by my imagination, the sound of thundering hooves rocked my eardrums and froze my heart in my chest.
Oh no.We were too late.
They were here already.
Chapter9
This Changes Things
Stellon- earlier that morning
The door of my bedchamber flew open, slamming the wall behind it and knocking a framed portrait to the floor with a sharp clatter.
My father stood in the doorway, practically vibrating with rage.
“Where is she?” he demanded and charged toward my bed.
I sat up, already fully awake.
There had been no chance of sleeping, knowing that Pharis would be attempting to rescue Raewyn from the dungeon and take her back to her village.
I only hoped it was far away, far enough that my father could never find her.
Thanks to his current demeanor, at least I now knew they’d succeeded in getting out of the palace.
“Raewyn?” I asked, as if he could possibly be referring to another “she.”
“Yes, your little human folly,” he spat. “She’s missing. How did she get out of the dungeon?”
“I have no idea,” I answered honestly.
Pharis had only said that he’d get her out, not how he’d manage it. I had to assume there was some borrowed glamour involved.
The important thing was, he’d done it. He’d freed her—and my father had no clue as to her whereabouts.
“How would I know?” I asked him. “I’ve been in here under lock and key, not to mention an abundant number of the royal guard.”
He knew it was true since he was the one who’d ordered me locked up and guarded until my blessed wedding day—which was supposed to have been today, unless I’d lost count.
Yes, it was the final day of the Assemblage, and I was scheduled to marry Lady Glenna Lalor today in front of the full High Court. My father had meant to use Raewyn as a pawn, threatening her with harm in order to force my compliance.
Now that she was out of his reach, I would refuse the politically advantageous marriage—and he knew it.
“Where is the chit from?” he demanded. “What village?”
“I don’t know. She never said.”
Also the truth. Raewyn had steadfastly refused to tell me where she was from or even her surname, and now I was grateful for it. I had no idea where Pharis had taken her.
No matter what my father might do to me, I’d be literally unable to reveal any damning information about her.
“Feel free to summon your truthsayer,” I challenged him.
The King’s eyes narrowed, glittering with animosity.
“I intend to. You havechangedsince meeting her. But I will have her back—and Iwillhave my loyal son and heir back… no matter what it takes.”
