Page 44 of Vanish

“We’ll help you look for Lisette. Don’t panic; we’ll find her.” His voice acted as my sole lifeline, preventing me from spiraling into the abyss threatening to swallow me whole.

It felt strange relinquishing the control I’d fought to maintain throughout my life, yet in this moment I realized that my control had merely been an an illusion I’d clung to as fiercely as the mask I’d always worn over my emotions. In truth my royal bearing could do nothing—whether fight against the curse invading my kingdom or protect the woman most dear to me.

We immediately parted to search different areas of the palace, time too pressing for us to engage in further communication. The sound of their retreating footsteps had barely faded when the arrival of another replaced them. I turned to see panting footman hurrying towards me. “Your Highness, you have a visitor—”

Someone suddenly rounded the corner and stomped towards me, each stride filled with purpose. I froze, paralyzed with dread as his imposing presence loomed ever closer. “Prince Castiel.”

The Crown Prince of Thorndale said nothing, but the fury cloaking his normally stoic expression rendered words unnecessary. I barely had time to sort through my shock at the unexpected arrival of Lisette’s older brother when he soundlessly drew his sword and lifted it, as if to strike me.

I fumbled for the sheath normally at my waist, only to realize I’d forgotten it midst the fluster that had accompanied me ever since the curse had befallen Lisette. Even if I possessed a weapon, I had no means of defending myself against a man said to not only be a legendary swordsman, but merciless in how he wielded the title.

I tensed in preparation for the inevitable blow…but before it could strike, I was knocked out of the way; the sound of blades clashing echoed throughout the corridor as my guards slipped from the shadows where they normally kept a vigilant watch to block the attack, their loyalty unwavering even when the events of the past several days gave them every reason to question the sanity of their prince.

Other guards hurried forward to restrain the Thorndale Prince, but he easily evaded the few guards who’d been assigned to this wing and stood over me, glowering. Anger made each breath ragged as he stared at me with dark eyes narrowed in hatred, his fist still clutching the hilt of his sword as I stood frozen against the wall. With a deep sigh he finally sheathed his weapon.

“Where is my sister?” In all my diplomatic visits to Lisette’s home kingdom or whenever her brother escorted her to Brimoire, I’d never heard the formidable prince speak. Loathing filled his deep voice sharper than any blade, cutting me to the core.

I shrank against the wall as Prince Castiel took an imposing step closer. While I was quite tall, my stature was no match for his own foreboding height and muscular build, both of which were nothing in the face of his bloodthirsty aura that demanded an explanation I didn’t have…which only made the reality of Lisette’s sudden disappearance all the more real.

“I…don’t know.” My voice broke. How I hated that terrible truth.

He seized me by the collar and shoved me against the wall, causing the stones to embed into my back and the guards to dart towards me again, though they hesitated as I lifted my hand in silent restraint. “Let me ask you again,” he hissed, each word slow and deliberate so there was no risk of my misunderstanding. “Where. Is. My. Sister?”

Even if his body hadn’t been blocking off any means of escape, I knew I couldn’t run from his inquiry; though I still didn’t understand what could have happened to cause Lisette to vanish other than that it’d happened immediately after I’d kissed her, I felt responsible for her welfare.

With a wavering breath I lifted my gaze to meet his furious one. “I don’t know, but I will spare nothing in my effort to find her.”

Tension choked the resulting silence before he released me and stepped back. My guard immediately hurried forward, but I shook my head in silent command and he obediently retreated. I straightened my clothes before facing the prince, watching me with his arms folded and an intimidating aura. It took every ounce of my royal training to maintain my composure rather than allow my nervous gaze to drift to his sword still within his reach.

Lisette had never spoken of her brother, so I’d never had any reason to think they were close. My own interactions with him had been limited whenever he’d served as Lisette’s silent escort, always hovering nearby without any outward sign of emotion.

Someone so imposing didn’t seem like the type of man to get close with anyone, but I couldn’t deny the concern hidden within his glare, so different than what I’d learned of her father. Despite being on the receiving end of his malice, I was relieved Lisette possessed at least one ally within the Thorndale court, though she didn’t appear to realize it.

“I’m sure you’re here because you have questions concerning Lisette’s disappearance, but I’m afraid I can’t answer them when time is of the essence. I will do my best to address your inquiries as I continue my search.”

He gave neither assent nor protest, simply studied my frantic expression. After a long moment his imposing manner faltered just enough for him to lift a single eyebrow. “You’ve seen my sister since her disappearance.” He kept his voice low so the nearby guards wouldn’t risk overhearing.

I managed a nod. “In a matter of speaking.”

His jaw tightened, and though he said nothing more, by his look I knew he meant to follow me in hopes of acquiring the few answers I possessed.

After some effort I convinced my guards to resume their previous discreet guarding distance so Prince Castiel and I could have a more private exchange, and meanwhile I resumed my interrupted search. He didn’t even wait for me to begin investigating every nook in the next room for Lisette’s translucent form before launching into his interrogation.

“The King of Thorndale informed me upon my return from my matters of state in another kingdom that you are responsible not only for moving up your wedding date despite the escalating dangers afflicting your kingdom, but for providing an unsafe route that caused my sister and her entire entourage to vanish.”

My defense swelled at these unjust accusations. I momentarily forgot my fear of the imposing prince and spun to face him. “I would never risk my fiancée in such a way! Lisette disappeared on the very route we informed her was the most dangerous. We’d provided a roundabout route that avoided nearly all of the cursed areas in hopes of guaranteeing her safety, but for whatever reason our advice was ignored—and her entourage came several days before I was expecting her, so we had no guides to meet her.”

“Do you have evidence that this transaction took place?”

I gritted my teeth. All proof lay in my correspondence with the King of Thorndale, which he had undoubtedly destroyed in order to remove all evidence that would contradict the story he’d given not only his heir, but likely the entire court.

“I suppose taking me at my word is impossible considering the circumstances, though it leaves me to wonder why your kingdom would entrust the princess to someone you think has nefarious intents.”

“The arrangement was made by my father.” The hatred in his eyes left no room for doubt that he would never have agreed to the union if he’d had any say in the matter.

I felt a stab of insecurity but tried to push it away. Now was not the time to question the reason an indifferent father would create a union with Brimoire; even before the curse our kingdom lacked adequate resources to tempt him. Whatever his reasons, it was clear that his heir didn’t share them.

“From what I’ve learned of Lisette’s background, I’m admittedly surprised to learn that you care for her.”

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