I throw down too many coins for her to collect with one hand.

“Keep all of it. I have to go.”

There’s no trace of her in the masses that still swarm Aeradian’s cobbled streets. I move recklessly, not caring that I could bump into her without realizing it, and join Sera in death before Lachlan does. I call her name, but my voice is lost amidst the frenzied echoes of the revelers. I overhear a man with a slurred voice say that the castle gates will close at midnight. I must get back and find her. I must tell her that she’s been deceived. Lachlan did not send the letter.

Her father, that sinister man, has tricked her. Again.

And if it’s the last decision I’ll ever make, I’m going to find out why.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

Braizen

“Where are you off to?” Stig stumbles a bit, then matches his pace to mine as I frantically stalk down corridors and scan each room of the Aeradian castle. She must be in the next one, then.

“I can’t tell if I’m very drunk or if you’re just walking really fast.” The bard wipes his forehead and lunges forward with each step. “Is there something I can help you with?”

I throw my body against the door frame of an open room and look in. Nothing. She’s nowhere to be found.

“Braizen?”

Finally, I turn towards him and throw my hands on his shoulders. “You want to help me? Go find me a bow and arrows—and fast. If you see Idalia, tell her I’m looking for her.”

He winces at my barked orders but then smiles and claps his hands. “A mission! Just like a real bandit.” He raises a stiff hand to his brow and salutes me. “You got it, Prince Man. I won’t let you down!” He quickly pivots and scurries down the hall.

I roll my eyes and continue my search. I’m at the second to the last door on the right side of the corridor, about to lose my mind, when I shove it open with my shoulder.

Theodore stands at the foot of a bed, the red dress hanging around her waist, her bare breasts revealed to me. She doesn’t try to cover them.

I slap my hands over my eyes. “Lady and Guard, Theodore. I’m so sorry. I had no idea this was your room. I was looking for, I mean, I am looking for Idalia. Have you seen her? Oh, gods, I saw your breasts. I saw them, and they’re really nice. I’m sorry.”

She laughs, and I hear a loud tsk. “You’ve always had a knack for opening doors you weren’t supposed to,” she says.

My chest rises and falls as I sort through my emotions. Tonight is not my night.