Page 90 of Crown of Briars
The open door led me to the hall of the queen’s chambers. Several other doors were open along the wall, indicating Enzira had searched them all before finding me. I peered into each one, thinking perhaps Sybelle might have shown up after Enzira left.
But each door only revealed the same location: the training yard.
I stilled, staring at the fourth door that opened to that same location. The same place where Warwick had first noticed Sybelle.
My mouth fell open. Mother of Shade, the castle had been trying to warn us. Why else would it have led us there? Why else was it showing me this place right now?
The castle hadn’t been toying with us at all. And, once again, I was a bloody fool.
I grabbed the door handle and slammed it shut, then took adeep breath. “Please show me Sybelle’s room. I need to search for clues. Please.”
I threw open the door, and blinked as Sybelle’s chambers greeted me. But they were almost unrecognizable. Bookshelves had been toppled over, leaving the tomes strewn all over the floor. Some had pages torn clean off. The armoire sat open, and several silk dresses were crumpled on the floor. The vanity’s drawer had been removed and its contents scattered.
My arms shook, the room darkening as my shadows thickened. Rage clouded my mind, roaring and screaming. I blinked through the haze, and my eyes shifted to Sybelle’s bed. Pillows had been shredded, their feathers spread across the room like snow. And someone had dragged a thick blade straight through the mattress, slicing it in half as if it were made of butter.
This place hadn’t just been ransacked. Someone had left a message.
For me.
My breaths came hard and fast. Red crept into my vision, mingling with the dark mist of my shadows. A roar built in my throat, and it took all my restraint not to unleash it.
Think, Varius,I told myself.Take a breath and think.
In this moment, I needed to be like Clermont. I needed to think about this critically.
I inhaled deeply through my nose, then forced myself to exhale slowly. Three breaths later, I could see clearly again. The violent rage simmering in my blood had dulled, but it was still there, ready to be loosed.
I turned to find Enzira and Clermont standing at the door. Enzira was watching me, her face stricken with terror. Clermont surveyed the room, his lowered brows the only indication of his concern.
“When did you last see her?” I demanded, my gaze fixed on Enzira.
“I walked her to her chambers after we left the revel,” Enzirasaid quickly. “I—she was upset. I tried to console her, but she—she wanted to be left alone.” Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes shifted away from me. I sensed there was more she wasn’t telling me, but I didn’t press her.
“So, you left?” I asked.
“Yes. It seemed like she needed her privacy, and I assumed she would be going to sleep soon.” Her voice trembled. “I—I did not know, Your Highness! Mother of Shade forgive me for my negligence.” She fell to her knees, burying her face in her hands as she sobbed. “It is all my fault. I should not have left her.”
My chest tightened at the sight of the maid so distraught over Sybelle’s disappearance. “Please,” I said in a strained voice. “Enzira, this is not your fault. I need your help to find her. You are the closest to her. Is there any place she might have gone?”
Enzira sniffed and wiped her nose, then looked up at me through tear-filled eyes. “I am not the closest to her. Ramia is.”
Ramia.It took me a moment to place the name. Then I recalled the severe-looking human female who had accompanied Sybelle here. Her own personal maid.
Of course. Why hadn’t I thought of it?
“Where is her room?” I asked, my voice full of urgency.
“I will show you.” Enzira climbed to her feet and disappeared through the door. Clermont and I followed her down the hall, past half a dozen doors. At the end was one that was open, still beckoning me to the training yard. Enzira gestured to it with a helpless expression on her face.
I slammed this door shut, too, and took a deep breath. “Please,” I begged the castle. “Please show me Ramia’s room.”
The handle underneath my fingers hummed in response, as if taunting me. Gritting my teeth, I said, “I just need to see Ramia. Just for a moment, and then I will go to the training yard. I swear I will heed your warnings.Please.”
I opened the door, and a darkened room awaited me on the other side. Soft snores filled the space.
I suddenly felt uncomfortable intruding on the maid’s privacy. I cleared my throat and knocked loudly against the open door.
A grunt sounded, followed by a shrill shriek. A loud thump echoed, and a female swore loudly.
