“Where have you been? The entire castle has been searching for you,” he asked, keeping his voice low.
“Time has shifted again in the Dryad Realm. There was an unnatural storm. What has happened since I’ve been gone?”
Reaching the war room, I pressed my hand on the rune, and the door unlocked.
“When you and the queen didn't return the first night, we assumed you had spent the night in the courtyard, then one day passed and another. The pixies flew above the courtyard from outside and didn’t see either of you inside.”
“In the realm of the dryads,” I said, “it's usually a few hours’ time difference from here. Time has been normal there since the Rift closed. I don't know what's happened, but something is upsetting the balance and it’s happening in the southern lands.”
Understanding dawned in Acaden’s eyes. “The Lich King’s territory is in the south and he’s seized more settlements there than in the northern regions.”
We both stared at the southeastern lands on the wooden war map, right below the Golden City. The only thing separating theLich King’s territory from the rest of Saol was a deadly desert in which only the undead could survive.
“Where's Renna?” I asked.
“She was doing reconnaissance outside. She thought maybe you and the queen had left the castle.”
“Have her found and returned immediately.”
Acaden tilted his head. “What is it you're not telling me?”
I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down my face, rubbing the sides of my temples. “When I went to the human settlement, there was a vampyre there with a message. They wanted…” I paused, unable to even say it. “The Lich King wants Deirdre. I was given one week to bring her to the southern temple.”
Touching the southern temple on the map, the mini building glowed. All the major structures were in the model, making battle strategies easier to plan.
“What would the Lich King want with the queen?”
“I don't know, but he's up to something. The skirmishes I… I don't know. It’s possible he's been searching for her. None of it makes sense. The Lich King has never shown an interest in the child of prophecy. Why now?”
“If that's true, then…” Acaden’s gaze flicked to me as we seemed to both arrive at the same conclusion.
“Yes,” I confirmed. “Today is one week.”
Acaden stood straighter. “Then we need to enact the defense system. Raise the castle.”
I nodded. “Yes. I'm going to go back to the queen. I want to make sure she knows what's happening. I should have been upfront with her.”
Acaden gave me a rare smile. “Seems like things have changed between you two, and for the better.”
“Funny. I didn't think there was ever a chance,” I admitted. “But we’ve been talking, and I think she truly wishes to make amends, as do I.”
“That's good to hear, Your Majesty. We will deal with thisevent. The Lich King will not take her, not while we draw breath.”
“Agreed.” I turned, already moving. “I'm going to go talk to her right now. You round up everybody, and then I'll meet you back in the control room.”
“As you command.”
Leaving Acaden, I rushed toward the royal wing and toward Deirdre’s chambers, a sudden desire to see her, to know she was safe, pushing me faster. It was odd to think this human who had been such a thorn in my side was becoming more like the rose blossomed on my chest.
When I arrived at her chambers, something stopped me cold.
There were no guards.
They wouldn't be foolish enough to leave the queen unattended.
I knocked on the door, wondering if she had sent them away. “Deirdre?”
When there was no answer, I opened the door and stepped in. The room was empty.
