his words. “Who is gone?”
Anger sparks in his eyes. “Beast. That rutting pig Cassel left the palace and took Beast with him.”
I swear violently as Sybella’s chance for rescue grows slimmer. “How? The man is bigger than an ox and cannot have gone willingly.”
Maraud glares at the tower, as if trying to discern the answer from its walls. “I don’t know. But I will find out.” For the first time, he notices my gown and the pack slung over my shoulder. “Where are you going?” Then he looks at my face. “What’s wrong? You look pale as a corpse.”
“The king handed Sybella over to Pierre three days before I got here. I am going after her. I was trying to find you and Beast before I left.”
It is Maraud’s turn to swear most foully. “Two people we must rescue.”
“And no idea where either of them are.”
In frustration, Maraud puts his hand on his head and stares up at the sky. “D’Albret might have taken Sybella to Givrand. It is much nearer than Limoges and is where he staged the troops and supplies he needed for the rebellion. At the very least, he will have stopped there on his way to another holding. He won’t risk taking such an unwilling prisoner to an inn.”
I nod and veer toward the stables. “I will start there. I had hoped you could come with me, but you must go after Beast, and I will find Sybella.”
Maraud looks at me as if I have sprouted horns. “You cannot wander into that viper pit alone. We will come with you.”
“We?”
“Jaspar and the others are here in Nantes, awaiting my instructions.”
“They need to go with you. Given Cassel’s penchant for both brutality and cruelty, we cannot just leave Beast to his care. There is no knowing what he intends to do.”
“As you said, Beast is strong as an ox, and I know he would rather we spend our efforts on Sybella before coming for him. In truth, he would likely have my bones for breakfast if I were to do anything else. I’ll send Andry and Tassin after Beast.”
I cut him a glance. “And how will they find him? Besides, you have your own unfinished business with the man.”
“It is not as important as your safety. Or Sybella’s.” In spite of the direness of our circumstances, I cannot stop the warmth his words cause in my chest any more than I can stop the rising of the sun.
As we draw near the stables, I feel rather than see a shift in the shadows on the left side of the barn. My hand flies to the dagger at my waist as a short, lithe figure detaches itself just enough to be visible. Lazare spits to the side. “Thought you’d never show up.”
“You’re here!” I say.
“Came with the others.” Lazare tilts his head toward the shadows, where I see Aeva, Yannic, and Poulet. “Been waiting for you. Although I’ve had the Dark Mother’s own time keeping Yannic from riding off after Beast.”
Maraud’s hand drops from his sword. “You know where they went?”
Yannic nods emphatically, and Lazare says, “He’ll show you, and I’ll go with her.”
“See?” I tell Maraud, my heart surging. “I won’t be going alone. I’ll have Lazare with me. And Yannic will lead you to Beast.”
His face is pure anguish. “Beast would want me to go after Sybella with you.”
“If you do not go after him, he may not live to kill you,” I point out. “Besides,” I remind him gently, “Sybella is worth four men at least. Between the two of us, Lazare, and the others, we shall be fine.”
He has opened his mouth to argue more when Lazare emits a low sharp whistle of warning. Yannic slips out of sight just as the sound of booted feet reaches my ears. I turn on my heel and, to my utter shock, find the king and eight of his men standing there, dressed as if they are going hunting.
The king glances at Maraud. “Is he coming too?”
“No.” I turn to Maraud. “See? Even the king will be at my side.”
Maraud’s eyes widen in a moment of shock, then he simply raises an eyebrow, his brown eyes touched with humor. “Very well, then.” He bows to the king. “Your Majesty. I know that you will keep her safe.”
It is the perfect thing to say, and the king’s manner relaxes ever so slightly. “I will, Sir Crunard. Why are you not joining us?”
Maraud’s mouth hardens. “Because it seems General