Immediately, they both head for the stairs, but I call out. “Don’t. There’s nothing to be gained by seeing them. What he did was . . . unforgivable. We must focus on finding him and bringing him to justice. I’ll send someone down and remove the bodies and give them their due, but I can’t face it right now. I need a moment.”

My brothers exchange a wary glance, and I push between them, marching down the hall. I didn’t even realize my sword was still in my hand. Suddenly, it feels like it’s welded to the floor, and I toss it to the side with an abrupt clatter.

Jareth and Rhyle shuffle quietly behind me, probably wondering if I’m losing my mind.

“Where are the others?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.

“They’re with Tyr in Atlas’s study—I mean . . . Tyr’s study.”

I hear the uncertainty in his voice.

None of us were prepared to navigate this new reality.

Looking forward, I nearly halt at the presence of two figures now directly in my path. A low, impatient grumble rattles in my throat at the sight of Mael and that brother of Lor’s. Trevor?

“Get out of my way,” I say, already knowing I don’t have the patience for whatever this is. They attempt to stand their ground, but my stride never wavers, and they’re forced to step out of my way.

“Where are you going?” Mael asks as I brush past. “We have to do something about Nadir and Lor.”

I ignore him as I continue down the hall. I have no idea what happened to Nadir and Lor, and it’s not that I’m not worried about them, but I have bigger problems to deal with right now.

“Gabriel!” Mael calls, but I still don’t stop. A moment later, I hear two more sets of footsteps join alongside my brothers’. Storming through the palace, everyone leaps out of my way. I’m like a thundercloud rolling through a picnic on a sunny day, scattering food and lemonade.

When we reach the king’s study, I slam open the door with enough force to crack it. This room is Tyr’s now. A sharp breath pierces my chest because everything is different.

Inside the room, I find the other warders along with Erevan, Amya, Hylene, and the lady’s maid who’s actually Lor’s sister Willow. Apricia sits sniffling in a chair, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. I’d almost forgotten she existed.

“Rion took Nadir and Lor,” Mael says to me at the same moment I declare, “Atlas is gone.”

Everyone in the room goes still, our gazes meeting.

“We need soldiers to go after them,” Mael says.

“The abduction of your prince and his girlfriend are matters for The Aurora, not Aphelion,” I bark and spin around, pointing to my brothers.