Page 17 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“I take it you’ve been staying out of the cities?” He seemed to genuinely be asking, but I couldn’t help feeling guilty. Like I’d been keeping secrets from him. Which, I guess I had been.

“We’ve come here a few times, but mostly we don’t go anywhere bigger than Brambleton.”

“Is that where you’ve been? Brambleton?”

“Just outside it.” I was surprised Lavenia hadn’t told him any of this, but I supposed she hadn’t had a chance.

“We were told you were in Nythyr. Lord Kennon mentioned it in a letter once.” I took a chance and glanced at him then, and his face was a slate, not a single muscle out of place.

“I suppose he must have made up something. I’ve never even been to Nythyr.” He chuckled, but I saw something flash in his eyes which didn’t match the lighthearted smile he gave.

“Here I was, imagining you cavorting across Nythyr this whole time, drinking all the wine and dancing at all the festivals.”

I gave a small smile. “I still drank the wine, just had to settle for the import.”

“A shame.” I heard a smile in his voice.

Rainier stood back up; he’d been on his knees searching under the bed. “Whoever stayed in this room didn’t leave anything. It doesn’t even seem like they slept on the bed.” His lips had gone into a flat line, the muscle in his jaw taut.

Stepping over to the closet, I pulled it open. There was a broken chair inside, leaned up against the wall, and a high shelf which appeared empty. Rainier walked over behind me.

“Hang on, there’s something up here.” He reached over me onto the top shelf of the closet, slightly pushing into me with his chest, and I stumbled further into the closet. I reached my hands forward into the small space and caught myself. A sharp pain and twisting in my stomach shot upwards. I needed to get out. Before I could stop myself, I elbowed my way out, digging straight into his stomach. He let out a burst of breath and a grunt as I shoved past him, taking deep, panicked breaths. I’d felt trapped, and my instincts got the upper hand, forcing me out of the small space. I took a few steps into the room, trying to regain control of my breath. Deep breath in, hold, exhale. I hadn’t intended to elbow the Crown Prince of Vesta directly in the stomach. I stared at him as he straightened back up.

He turned to glare at me, lightly pressing one hand on his stomach where my elbow had struck. He didn’t say a word as he handed over what he’d pulled down from the top shelf. It was a text from the Myriad, one of the small books they handed out to people during the religious celebrations. I flipped through it, noticing the usual depictions of the gods and goddesses. I stopped at Aonara, the goddess of light. When Lucia was declared Aonara’s favored, we should have known then what would happen to her. Playthings of the gods were expendable. I finished flipping through the book and set it down. I turned to Rainier, ready to apologize, but he walked past me, as if he couldn’t wait to be away from me.

“Let’s check the next room,” he grunted, pushing the door open and going back into the hallway.

We walked toward the landing, the prince leading the way up the stairs. He had to duck once we reached the third floor, the ceiling lower and halls narrower. He stopped a few steps into the hallway and paused, turning slightly to let me pass. I had the key to get into the room. It took all my concentration to slip past without touching him. I felt bad for the elbow to the stomach and was afraid to get close. I paused at the door, reaching out with my senses to hear a heartbeat. I didn’t hear any from the room we were going to, but I did hear a faint and frenzied one from the room at the top of the stairs.

“Wait,” I told Rainier as my gaze turned to the occupied room. It hadn’t been checked out in the last few days, so this must have been a long-term occupant. The closer I got, the louder I could hear the heartbeat. There seemed to be only one, and it was quieter than I was used to. Rainier followed close behind but made sure to keep a bit of distance between us. I lightly tapped on the door.

“Hello? Is someone in there? Can you help me?” I tried to be delicate. Whoever this person was, they were either terrified or ready to attack. I had a feeling it was a child. My suspicion was confirmed when the door creaked open, and there were two large, brown eyes looking up at me from just above my waist. The child, a boy if I had to guess, just stared at me. He caught a glimpse of the giant of a man behind me, and his eyes widened, his heart racing even faster than before. I knelt to address him at his level.

“Hey there, my friend and I are looking for my daughter. She’s a few years older than you. She’s got blonde hair right now, but it might have turned white.” The boy opened his mouth in awe. “She looks a lot like me. Do you remember seeing her anywhere?”

The boy peered back and forth between Rainier and me. I reached out gently and took his hand.

“I know he looks big and scary, but he won’t hurt you, I promise. If you could help me, I’d be so grateful. I love her very much, and I could really use your help finding her. Have you seen a girl like that?” The boy gulped and nodded.

“You’ve seen her?” I asked quickly, making sure I understood. He nodded again. “Where? Where did you see her?” I glanced over my shoulder to see Rainier watching me with an openly sad expression. I glanced back at the child as he pointed to the room we had yet to check. When the boy gestured, Rainier quickly walked back to the empty room.

“Did you see her today?” The little boy shook his head no. My heart dropped.

“Yesterday?” He shook his head again.

“The day before?” The little boy nodded.

Shit.

I knew she wasn’t in there; I’d already listened at the door.

“Did you see anyone else with her?” The boy nodded again. I wondered if he could speak or if he was too scared of us. “How many people were with her?”

He held up a few fingers and shrugged. When I described Faxon, asking if he’d seen my husband, the boy nodded again. Relief flooded my veins. Her father was with her. I knew he would do his best to keep her safe and unharmed. A surge of worry and a bit of guilt went through me then, hoping he’d stay safe. I hadn’t thought about his well-being more than a passing second since I found out she’d been taken. Faxon wasn’t stupid though, and I had a renewed sense of hope; he’d find a way to get them away.

“Thank you so much for your help.” The little boy nodded and shut the door.

I made my way down the hall where Rainier waited. I reached for the key, and he put his hand on my arm. I stopped and looked up at him, tethered by the hand he lightly wrapped around my wrist.

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