“You know he’s ill,” I cut in. “I’m sure he’s fine, probably just resting.”
Lukas shook his head as he dragged a sweaty hand through his hair. “I tried to get some sleep, but I couldn’t. I just… I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. That’s when I decided I would just force my way into his room. But when I made it past the guards, his bed was empty… I can’t find him anywhere, Naria.” His breath quickened. “He’s been taken by someone, I’m sure of it.”
“Wait, wait.” My heart stuttered. “How do you know he hasn’t just left the palace for some perfectly innocent reason? Maybe his healer needed to take him somewhere for more treatment?”
It was silly to even suggest that. The last time I saw the King, he was in such a poor state that leaving his bed would’ve only caused him more suffering, but still, I couldn’t accept that someone had just taken him. Why would they do it? If this was an assassination attempt, why not just kill him where he slept?
“I’ve searched the entire palace. Nobody knows where he is,” Lukas carried on, his cheeks paling. “And then I searched for my mother… She’s gone too. I checked her bedchamber. None of her servants were there and her bed was empty.”
My stomach churned. Erissa wasn’t responsible for the King’s disappearance, was she? She certainly seemed to hate him enough, but could she really be capable of stealing away a king? The woman’s mind was barely even there. She couldn’t have done this. Whoever had the King surely has the Queen too. Afterall, a kingdom without either of its rulers is a kingdom ready for invasion.
Exhaling, I steadied myself. I knew I had to stay calm. Drothmore could be hours away from a war, but a panicking prince and a trembling princess would be no good to anyone. And there was still time to fix this. There had to be.
“Okay,” I said finally, my voice calm and precise. “What about your armies? Did your father ever tell you what to do in the case of an incoming invasion?”
Lukas’s shoulders tensed. “I’ve already spoken to the generals. Apparently, a few days ago, the King requested that our largest armies be sent to patrol the northern borders of the realm.”
“But that would mean—”
“We’re completely unprotected,” he confirmed, his words making my chest seize. “The generals have just sent their fastest riders to tell the armies to come home. But it’ll take days before they reach the northern border, and even longer for our armies to return.”
“How many soldiers do we have left?” I asked, dreading the answer.
Lukas sighed, sliding a hand over his face. “Only the guards that patrol the palace and a few other small forces.”
In other words, Drothmore was doomed.
“How could this happen?” The room began to blur as tears threatened to overcome me. Then Lukas drew closer, and the storm inside my mind settled for a brief moment, until he spoke again.
“Everyone is telling me that you might be able to answer that question.”
His accusation sent all the air rushing out of my chest.
“What?” I almost choked. “You can’t possibly think I would have anything to do with this. I wouldn’t even know where tostart with ordering armies about, or… kidnapping people. I—”
“Listen to me.” Lukas grabbed my hand, grasping it tightly. “I trust you. And I know you never would’ve gotten involved in this willingly, but… the timings, Naria.” He winced, conflict raging across his features. “You move into the palace, have secret meetings with the fae – my father’s greatest enemies – and now there are goblins in the woods? I want to believe you’re innocent, but the generals certainly don’t.”
The tears broke free then, streaming down my face while deep in my chest, my heart pounded. Each intense beat forced more and more air in and out of my lungs. This couldn’t be happening. This was just another awful dream.
“I swear on my parents’ graves, Lukas,” I insisted between sobs, “I had no idea that any of this was going on. I didn’t know there was a goblin camp in the woods until we werebothcaptured. And even when I visited the fae, there was never any mention ofanyinvasion! If I knew that they were planning this, I promise you I would’ve reported it back here immediately.” I took a breath to steady my shaking voice. “Trust me, I know what it’s like to lose a kingdom. I would never wish that fate on anyone.” I met his steel gaze. “Not even on my greatest enemy.”
A deafening silence fell between us. After what felt like hours, Lukas swallowed hard, nodded, then ran a hand through his messy hair.
“I believe you,” he admitted in a calmer voice. “The generals might want you thrown in the dungeons, but I’m going to tell them you’re to remain in your tower with Lady Raena. It’s safer up here, and I’ll make sure to leave you both with a guard that I can trust to get you out of the palace if things take a turn for the worse.”
“But what about you?” I asked, fear settling in my stomach.
Lukas hesitated for a moment before answering. “I’ll be travelling back to the goblin camp with a few of our remainingsoldiers.”
“What? No!” Something cracked within my chest. “It’s too dangerous!”
“I don’t have a choice, Naria.” He breathed heavily. “I’d bet my life that the fae are behind all this and that they’ve sent the goblins to do their dirty work. My mother and father could be being tortured in that camp as we speak. I have to try and rescue them – for the sake of my kingdom.”
Another sob forced its way up my throat, but I swallowed it down. I knew he was right. What kind of future king would he be if he didn’t try?
“Then let me help you,” I suggested while wiping away a tear. “When you find the King and Queen, they’ll probably need healing. I can help with that! Or if any of your soldiers get injured, or if you do?” I cast aside the painful image of Lukas bleeding out on the forest floor. That would never happen. I would never let him die.
To my immense frustration, Lukas shook his head. “No, like you said, this is an incredibly dangerous mission. I can’t risk you being hurt in the crossfire.”
