He turned to find Rufe kneeling next to a bloody puddle. “There was a fight. Maybe the guards outside came in to defend Yarif from an attacker.”
“If so, where are they? If someone was here, how did they get in? Or out?
Had the missing guards taken Yarif? What could they want with him? Draylon searched the rooms, under beds, behind furniture, heart pounding out a frantic beat. What did he expect? For Yarif to hide like a child playing games?
Draylon once visited an ancient castle that had withstood many battles. Passageways in the walls allowed the family to escape during sieges. This castle was old. Perhaps the builders added such safeguards.
If so, that explained why Yarif stayed in this particular room. “Rufe!”
Rufe paused his questioning the guards, and returned to Draylon’s side. “Yes?”
“The day we took the castle, didn’t you find Yarif defending this room?”
“Yes. We believed it to be a ruse as the children were found later with their governess, trying to escape.”
“The governess brought them to us out in the courtyard.”
Rufe stroked his chin. “Interesting.”
“Could an escape be built into this room that leads outside?” Draylon scanned the walls, hoping to spot something out of place.
Rufe appraised the room with a sweeping gaze. “I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.”
“Find the governess you spoke with. I want to talk to her.”
“Yarif fired her.”
“For possibly revealing his secret?” Draylon would have done the same. “Still, see if you can find her. Bring me a stone mason. If anyone can find irregularities in stonework, I’m sure they can.”
Rufe turned his appraisal on Draylon. “What will you be doing?”
“Whatever I can.” The bed wasn’t rumpled, nor was Yarif’s wedding attire anywhere to be seen. Draylon asked the guard, “When did you hear him practicing?” No, not practicing. Fighting off attackers.
“We took over right when the previous watch ended.”
“No one entered?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
The bastards must’ve been waiting to attack the moment Yarif arrived. Which meant someone allowed them in. Draylon occupied himself scrutinizing the walls. The right side wall adjoined another chamber. “What’s on the other side of this wall?”
“We’ve already checked there. It’s an empty room.”
Draylon examined the room. No signs of struggle. A window occupied the left wall of Yarif’s main room. The back wall abutted the exterior castle wall, the most likely place for a secret door unless the floor hid access to a passageway.
Rufe returned. “They found the governess,” he said, slightly out of breath. “Or rather, they found her body lying in a ditch with her throat cut.”
Had Yarif sought vengeance? No. Not his style. He had the authority to jail the woman for treason if he chose. She’d lost her life as a way to keep her quiet, most likely.
Time. They were wasting precious time. Every second allowed kidnappers to get farther and farther away with Yarif. No, not simply Yarif, but Draylon’s husband.
A thought occurred to him. “Someone fetch May from the kitchens.” She likely knew more about the goings on at Renvalle Castle than anyone save Yarif. Draylon paced the floor, studying the wall.
May appeared red-faced, puffing for air and smelling of apples and cinnamon. “You summoned me, Your Maj… Your Hi… Draylon.” She tilted her head to the side. “What should I call you now?”
“If you can help me, call me anything you like.”
“How can I help you? I’m just a cook.”
