morning to hunt down wild horses on the mountain. They should be back later today.”
Frustration burns through me. When I turn to the door and step outside, Kade follows. Shutting the door, he says, “I'll speak to each of the men to see if anyone saw something last night and let you know."
“Bring Allard to my room. I want to talk to him personally,” I snarl, my jaw clenching as I picture driving my fist into his face. "Also get me a list of every new person who has started working at Midnight Court in the last two months, along with where they work and a bit of background."
"Of course." He gives a quick nod and steps into the stables.
I march toward the castle, remembering I have a meeting in the war room with the master of coin, and I crumble a little on the inside at the exhausting discussion I'm about to endure. My fists remain clenched at the thoughts that Allard laid a hand on my Licia. I’m going to break him in half.
My breaths are harsh and rugged this morning, my heart pounding and my head filled with images of the dead girl. I don't even know who she is yet... but she'll have a family who is missing her, and for that my heart cracks. Fear trickles the back of my throat.
What are we missing? Have I gone about this all wrong? Could the killer possibly be another cursed?
13
Licia
I stand at the window inside Eryk's bedroom and look out into the night. Snow falls heavily, and beneath the moon's glow, the white powder shimmers beautifully. Except the nights in our world are deadly and come with danger at every corner. I remember my encounter with the two hobgoblins on my way home several days ago... or was it longer? I don't remember how much time has passed while I've been held here. More than likely only a few days, though it feels like forever.
My mind whirls trying to figure out how I can visit Veren to ask her if she's had a chance to visit my housemates. I don’t want Rin and Cedar to worry about me. One woman on our street had her daughter go missing earlier this month, and two days later, guards found her in the forest butchered by a bear. It's terrifying that just walking home is fraught with so much danger. Maybe I’ll ask Eryk if I can send them a message or maybe even visit them?
A knock sounds at the door, and I flinch around, my heart galloping as I picture the prince charging in here, except never in a hundred years would he knock. When the door opens, Kainee sweeps into the room with a trolley. She holds her head high with pride but doesn't look my way, as if I’m invisible.
Under the watchful eye of the guard at the door, she collects the empty plates from the table and replaces the jug with a fresh one and several glasses, along with a small bowl of berries and another of grapes.
"Is there anything else?" she asks me, cutting a small glance over her shoulder at the guard. He must have reminded her of her place.
I shake my head, but then I quickly walk up to her and whisper, "Could you please ask Veren to come visit me?"
She scrunches her nose as if the idea of helping me is out of the question.
"Please," I say, but she turns her back to me and pushes the trolley outside. The guard shuts the door, and I'm alone again, as I have been for most of the day.
I pace across the length of the room before picking up the bowl of berries and eating them until there's nothing left. At this rate, I'm going to be as big as a cow if all I do is sit around and eat.
Eryk hasn't returned since our time at the bath. A moment that has haunted me all day because I feel stupid for being so forward. Maybe this is punishment for my directness?
I grab a handful of grapes and return to the window. The fire crackles loudly, warming the room, and outside I spot guards striding toward the front gate. I pop the last grape into my mouth and savor the sweetness bursting across my tongue.
Down below, I observe more guards walking across the grounds like they are searching for something, or trying to make sure no one leaves… did Eryk put them up to