Rhay shrunk back. “Whoa, hold your fire, love.”
Lora barely registered his words. “Where did they come from?” she asked as she watched a fae dash out the broken window and into the lush labyrinth. Lora headed to the windows, wanting to get a closer look.
“What are you doing?” Rhay asked, dragging his sword on the ground as he followed her through the wrecked dining hall. Broken glass crunched beneath their feet. Blood mixed with the pink flowers that had fallen from the walls.
“Finding out how they got here,” Lora replied.
“The guards can do that.”
Lora almost laughed. “What guards? Did you notice that only a few stormed in here? Seems like whoever those fae are, they got to the guards first.”
“Layken—”
“Layken’s not trustworthy,” Lora said, and Rhay didn’t argue with her. Head turning every which way, she couldn’t spot Layken or Karwyn anywhere. “Karwyn’s not here.” She hadn’t seen him at all since the start of the fight. Had he fled?
Rhay’s weary gaze travelled over the room, the sword still in his limp hand.
“Where’s your father?” Lora asked as she took notice of everyone else still in the room. Wails echoed from the ground to the high ceiling—of the injured or the ones left to live, Lora wasn’t sure.
“He left with a few other advisors before they blocked the back door. I didn’t see Karwyn head that way.” Rhay’s eyes circled back to the windows next to them, leading out into the garden, the labyrinth. “What if they have him.” It wasn’t a question. Rhay climbed out the window, barely avoiding the broken glass on the frame as it tore at his expensive clothes.
Should she follow him? It wouldn’t be wise, but she was too curious to stay behind. This was her chance to finallydosomething after weeks of nothing but failure.
Hand clasped around her dagger, Lora raced after him. What was a little more insanity at this point?
Chapter25
Rhay
Sprinting through the garden, Rhay and Lora entered the labyrinth set up in the giant courtyard surrounded by palace walls. Lora’s bloodied dagger was still clenched in her hand. Rhay had to admit, he had been surprised by her strength during the attack. She’d foughthard,as if she had done it before.
Rhay thought that Harten Adelway would have been proud of his niece. Prouder than he would have been of his son disappearing during the fight. Or had they taken Karwyn?
Slowing down, Rhay took in Lora’s beautiful turquoise dress now stained with blood and the bottom seam ripped. Somehow, it made him grin. “You look delightful, love.”
Lora scoffed. “Only you would flirt now.”
As Rhay was about to reply, leaves rustled on their left. Drawing his weapon, he pushed Lora behind him. She immediately moved next to him. A wounded guard stumbled out of the hedges. The blade of a sword was sticking out of his chest. Rhay made a move towards him, but the guard collapsed, his eyes rolling backwards.
“Shit.” Rhay ran to the guard and put a hand on his throat. No pulse. “Where did he come from?” Lora walked further into the labyrinth, disappearing around the corner. “Wait up, love.” He stood up, leaving the dead guard behind.
Branches scratched his already ruined satin turquoise shirt as the path turned narrow. The silence in the labyrinth was eerie.
“I don’t see or hear anyone else,” Lora said once Rhay caught up with her. Her hand was shaking, shock settling in.
“Maybe we should head back,” Rhay suggested, unsure about his impulsive decision now. He had a bad feeling about the whole thing. Rhay was used to training with Karwyn and fighting illegal duels, but he had never actually killed anyone. Seeing the life source leave the assailants’ eyes had been harder than he had expected.
Lora shook her head. “Let’s keep moving,” she said, already storming forward. Rhay saw no choice but to follow.
Soon, they reached what seemed to be the centre of the labyrinth. Five pathways split the circular green space they had found themselves in. Rhay looked at Lora, but she too seemed unsure where to go next.
A rustling noise made them raise their weapons. Coming from one of the paths, the attacker Lora had spared halted his run. He stared at Lora and Rhay before looking over his shoulder. Maybe choosing to face Rhay and Lora rather than the person who was following him, the attacker raised his arms and walked towards them slowly.
Rhay drew his sword. “Stay back.”
“Please, let me pass,” the attacker pleaded.
“Who do you work for?” Lora asked, wasting no time.
