The guard tried to open a door but it was locked so he went to the next. Amos ran to the door and tried it again. “Open this door,” he yelled at the guard who’d walked away. “I want to see every room until she’s found.”
Sariah tried it. “It’s locked, Your Highness.” He glared at her and motioned her out of the way. “Move.”
Amos grabbed the iron handle and yanked as hard as he could, ripping the door clean off its hinges. He didn’t know what it said about the door that the hinges broke before the actual handle.
Before he could catalogue everyone inside, Reyna ran forward, slammed her paws into his chest, and licked him.
Gasps sounded from inside the closet, and Sariah had stepped back with wide eyes pinned on the snow leopard.
Amos tossed the door with a loud crash and petted her head. He had never been happier to see the beast. It struck him that he was about to meet his sister, and he fought to calm his nerves.
Reyna dropped to the ground and stepped around him, revealing a guard with collar length dark hair, ivory skin, and a sword ready to impale Amos if he breathed wrong.
The torchlights in the halls weren’t bright enough to light the back of the closet, but he knew Amelia was there.
He held his hands up. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Pardon me, sir, but I don’t know that,” the guard shot back.
“I appreciate you protecting Amelia, but I will see her one way or another,” he replied. “Lower your weapon.”
The guard tightened their grip on the sword. “Not until someone I trust gives the order.”
Amelia stepped into the light, and Amos sucked in a sharp breath. “I’m fine.”
“Get back,” the guard demanded, stepping in front of her. Amos appreciated their dedication to his sister.
A small bark drew their attention to Amos’ feet. He hadn’t realized Roland followed him in.
“Eddy!” Amelia cried and tried to move forward.
The guard blocked her again. “Get back.”
“You told me to stay with Reyna.” Amelia pointed to the snow leopard. “If you weren’t here, Reyna would let me see him.”
Amos bit back a laugh. The guard considered her words and turned to the giant cat sitting quietly in the hall. “If he hurts her, I will use your fur as a rug.”
Amos eyed the guard appreciatively. “If you ever move to the Desert Kingdom, you will have a job as my guard.”
“Who are you?” Amelia demanded, lifting her chin.
His eyes landed on eyes the same color as his own. “My name is Amos.”
Amelia moved forward and peeked out of the door at the Mountain guards barricading each end of the hall. The other guard must have called for backup. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said finally, though her voice didn’t sound so sure.
One line of guards parted, drawing her attention, revealing a blood-soaked Rennick.
A cry tore from Amelia’s throat, and she ran toward him, jumping into his arms. He buried his head into the crook of her neck and held her tight.
Amos watched them, his chest tight. Rennick really loved his sister, and that was all he could hope for. The scene also made him long for his own mate. Worry tugged at him, and he turned to Sariah while Rennick and Amelia whispered to each other. “Find Clover and Ruth.”
Amos turned back to Rennck and Amelia in time to hear Rennick say, “Echo is the best warrior we have, even more so than Finn.”
Everyone looked at Echo, the guard from the closet, who shrugged like it was no big deal.
“Amos,” Rennick said, tipping his head. “Thank you for finding her.”
Amos stalked toward them, motioning for Sariah and the other guards to leave. “I thought the rebel situation was taken care of in the Mountain Kingdom.”
