Eli sensed something was wrong the moment he entered the royal apartments.

He sprinted to his study and threw open the doors. There was no warmth, no homecoming. Just the same empty room that always waited for him.

Auburn was gone.

Fear clawed his throat as he darted out and headed back towards his suite.

The captain of the palace guards clicked a salute, drawing Eli’s attention. While the man’s uniform was pristine, sweat beaded his brow and worry pinched his face.

The prince’s fists balled at his sides, and he forced himself not to punch the captain. “Where are the two guards I stationed with my fiancée?”

“We found them dead in the room next to your office, Your Highness.”

Eli took a step back. “Where is Auburn?”

“We don’t know, Your Highness. The whole palace is on alert for her.”

“Where’s Mrs. Fields?”

“We found her and the women accompanying in the room next to your office, Your Highness. I don’t believe Princess Auburn is among them.”

“I want to see for myself.”

The captain snapped a salute and led Eli to a sitting room a few doors down from his study. Mrs. Fields and her army of helpers were laid across the chaises as the three Priestesses of Thalia who’d been performing the Light ceremony tended to them.

But Auburn wasn’t there.

“Any ransom demands?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Do you know who killed the guards?”

“No, Your Highness. We have no witnesses though we have several leads we’re following.”

Eli shook as he fought to control his rising anger and fear. “What can you tell me?”

The captain bowed. “When I have more information, I will inform you immediately, Your Highness.”

Eli growled several expletives as he stormed towards his office. Someone had taken her. But who? And why? If it was Fredrick, he’d have killed her and left her body for Eli to find.

The prince’s mind raced as he thought of all the enemies he had, but he could think of none that would’ve been able to penetrate security in the palace. None, except Fredrick.

He had to tell King Garrett his suspicions about his cousin and get Fredrick removed from the palace altogether, but first, he had to find Auburn.

Panic slipped across Eli’s normally impassive face, and a hundred unpleasant scenarios played through his mind.

What if Fredrick had captured her and tortured her rather than killing her? What if she was alone and hurt or dying somewhere?

The thoughts burrowed into his chest and almost paralyzed him.

Sucking in a breath, Eli forced his mind to calm. To think rationally. If Fredrick had failed and Auburn had escaped him, where would she go? She knew no one in Tamryn.

He glanced toward the darkness and shadows, now quiet after the priestesses’ cleansing. The thought slapped him.

Auburn’s vision. The gold dragon.

He yelled to the Captain of the Guard as he sprinted to the stables.

* * *

I know you’re here, little mouse,” a sing-song voice called out. “Only you would barge into a closed temple.”

Auburn’s heart slammed against her ribs as she moved on dancer’s feet to the apse and crouched down behind the altar.

“There are so many things I know, little mouse, things you’d like me to tell you. Like why the king closed this temple.”

Pressing her lips together, Auburn tried to ignore the voice as she searched for another hiding place.

“This is where Queen Gwendolyn was laid out after she died. Over there.” Fredrick pointed across the church. “Eli wouldn’t leave her. Even slept in here as he prayed to Dracor to bring her back. But gods don’t bring back the dead, not even for a Dracasan prince.”

Auburn’s heart squeezed. So much pain for a boy to bear all alone. She couldn’t let him go through it again. Couldn’t let Eli be alone again.

“And I know who you are. I don’t mean a slave to the Sultan of Qumaref, or the princess you’re pretending to be.”

Auburn pressed her lips together.

“Do you want me to tell you your birth name? Perhaps the names of your parents?” Fredrick’s mirthless laugh reverberated off the walls. “You have a sister.”

Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore him, to not listen to his lies.

“I can tell you the truth about your family, about why they didn’t rescue you. Why they left you alone, abandoned, and lost. A slave. I could even reunite you with them. You’re useful to them since you’ve snared Prince Eli.”

It was as if he knew what she most wanted and was tainting it before offering it to her. Auburn bit back her retort, knowing it’s what he wanted.

“Not at all curious, little mouse? Perhaps not. Why would you be after they abandoned you?”

Fredrick strolled down the aisle, pushing back the pews as he searched for her underneath them.

“Just you and me, little mouse. Eli won’t step foot in this place, not since Dracor abandoned him and his mother. Let her die in Eli’s arms. There’s no one coming for you, just as no one came for you when Premal snatched you and took you to Qumaref.”

Another pew crashed to the floor. Auburn tapped the dagger in her pocket. No one had come for her in Qumaref, and she’d made it out on her own. If she had to escape Fredrick on her own, she would.