The two men share a glance, and it’s all I can do not to knock their heads together. “The princess has spent more time sequestered in your chambers. She’s seemed despondent. We think … apologies, if I overstep, sire, we think she’s missed you.”
Something sharp twists into my heart. Mayah must’ve remained in our chambers to avoid my father like I asked.
She’d called it a cage when I’d forced her to remain locked away in the early days of our marriage. Her rage had steeped within her chest until she—rightfully—fought for what she deserved.
Regret pinches my nerves at the thought of her hiding away again.
I was only gone for a week. Still, I sense a fair amount of groveling ahead of me—but I’ll gladly stay on my knees all night if she’ll let me.
“You both have my gratitude.”
Then, I fling open the door and enter our chambers.
Our empty chambers.
“Mayah?” I call out, brows furrowed.
The washroom door is ajar, but she’s not inside.
I don’t sense her energy signature on the balcony either.
The sky darkens.
I head toward the door, ready to tear into Gregoran and Freynk for losing track of Mayah yetagainwhen my eyes catch sight of the tunnel entrance.
The edge of the tunnel door is slightly askew. It’d be barely discernible to anyone else, but to my eye, it’s a slap in the face.
My breath claws out of my chest in a sharp exhale.
Did Tormik send warriors to bring Mayah home, like Turmah’s father had done?
Did Mayah go willingly or did they force her?
Am I too late?
I nearly call for Freynk and Gregoran, ask them to bring reinforcements, but there’s no time. They may already have fled the palace. With my wife.
The hidden door gives way easily when my fist slams into it. I’m greeted by dank, stagnant air and a suffocating sense of dread. Eyes closed, I cast out my power, searching for energy signatures.
Nothing.
I’m tempted to bolt through the narrow passageway, shouting Mayah’s name until I find her, but I force myself to take silent, measured steps. If there are Tundrayni warriors within the tunnels, I need to act carefully. Logically. I can’t risk them hurting Mayah.
But what if Mayah wants to leave with them?I shove the intrusive thought away, unable to stomach that reality.
No. No, she wouldn’t leave me.
She loves me. I saw it in her eyes before I left. She was happy with me. And I told her I’d take her to Tundrayn, she wouldn’t—
My footsteps falter.
The passageway widens overhead into a large cavern, three smaller tunnels cut into the opposite wall. I pause before each one, casting out my power. Panic claws through my chest. I need to find her.
My breath catches—deeper within the third tunnel, faint electric currents pulse in the distance.
I keep going.
Skies, let her be all right. Let her be unharmed.
