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"He talked," Binwee said flatly. "Eventually. He gave us names. The sect is run by Lord Verrater."

Verrater. I'd thought he was just another conservative voice, another noble resistant to change.

There had never been anything to suggest he was dangerous. He attended court functions, paid his taxes, served on the Council of Elders with distinction. His public stance had always been measured, reasonable. If anything, he'd seemed like a voice of moderation among the more extreme traditionalists.

That had been the point, I realized now. The perfect cover. While others ranted and railed against change, drawing attention to themselves, Verrater had smiled and nodded and worked in the shadows. Building his network. Waiting for the right moment to strike.

I'd been a fool.

"There's more," Binwee continued. "Murdette is here with me. She says Verrater was at the castle late last night, claiming he needed to see you urgently. She sent him away because she knew you were with Leila."

If Verrater had been at the castle last night, if he'd known I was with Leila—my blood ran cold.

"Did anyone see him leave?" Sanyra asked, her voice tight.

"No." Murdette's face appeared beside Binwee's in the holographic display. Her expression was grave, her silver hair slightly disheveled, as if she'd been running her hands through it. "I've questioned every guard, every servant who was on duty. No one saw him depart. It's like he vanished."

"He didn't vanish," I said, my voice deadly calm. "He took her. He waited for an opportunity, then he took her."

"We've already sent guards to his home in the city," Murdette reported. "It's empty."

"He has other properties," Sanyra said suddenly. "I remember his family owned an estate at the eastern boundary. Near the old forest."

"I thought that place had fallen to ruin," I said, trying to recall the details. The eastern territories were remote, barely populated, mostly farmland. If Verrater wanted to hide someone, it would be the perfect location.

Hope and terror warred in my chest. If we were right, if Verrater had taken Leila to his family estate, then we had a destination. A target. But if we were wrong—if we wasted more time chasing another false lead—

"It's our best option," Rhucard said, reading my hesitation. "Better than standing here doing nothing."

He was right. Every moment we delayed was another moment Leila remained in danger.

"Binwee," I said, turning back to the comm display. "Keep interrogating that servant. Get me details about this sect. I want to know who they are, where they are, and what they've been planning."

"Already on it," Binwee said. "Go get her Kavan. Bring her home."

The comm disconnected, leaving us in the frozen silence of the courtyard. I looked at Sanyra, at the guards who'd flown with me, at Rhucard and his warriors. They were all watching me, waiting for orders.

I was their king. Their leader. And right now, the only thing that mattered was getting Leila back.

"We fly to the eastern estate," I said, my voice carrying across the courtyard. "Sanyra, you're with me. Guards, maintain formation. Rhucard—"

"I'm coming with you," Rhucard said before I could finish. "You'll need the extra muscle if Verrater has warriors with him."

I should have argued. Should have told him to stay here and maintain his position in the north. But I needed every advantage I could get, and Rhucard was one of the strongest fighters on Drakhone.

"Fine," I said. "But you follow my lead. This is my mate we're rescuing."

"Wouldn't dream of doing otherwise," Rhucard said. Despite the gravity of the situation, his tone carried a hint of his usual irreverence.

I turned toward the open sky, my dragon already pushing against my skin, demanding to be released. The eastern territories were hours away, even at top speed. Hours that Leila would be in Verrater's hands, at the mercy of a male who wanted to eliminate the female I loved.

Because I did love her. The realization settled over me with absolute certainty. I loved Leila Hunter—her strength and her stubbornness, her kindness and her courage, the way she'd looked at me like I was more than just a king or a dragon or a warrior. She'd seen me, really seen me, and she'd chosen to stay anyway.

And I'd be damned if I let Verrater take her from me.

I shifted, my human form dissolving into scales and wings and claws. My dragon roared, the sound echoing off the glacier walls and sending ice cascading down from the peaks above. It was a sound of rage and promise and absolute determination.

I was coming for my mate. And nothing would stop me.