Chapter 244

Doria's POV

"What was that sound?" the butler's voice sharpened instantly.

At the same moment, Millicent's sharp command rang out: "Who's there?"

My heart crashed against my ribs. Stupid, stupid! I knew better than to make noise while eavesdropping. I'd been a servant long enough to know the consequences of being caught where I shouldn't be. Especially after hearing what I just had – about Solan, about plans being accelerated.

I turned and fled, my feet barely making a sound against the polished marble floor. I had only seconds before they'd enter the hallway. If I could just make it around the corner—

I wasn't watching where I was going, too focused on escape. I rounded the corner at full speed and slammed directly into a solid male chest. The impact nearly knocked me backward, but a pair of strong hands steadied me.

Looking up, I found myself staring into Malcolm's worried eyes.

"Doria?" His brow furrowed with concern.

"You need to let me go," I whispered urgently. Behind me, I could hear the butler's footsteps approaching.

"What are you doing here?" Malcolm asked, his grip still firm on my arms.

"Stop her!" came the butler's shout from behind me.

I tried to sidestep around Malcolm. "I must go. Now." But his hands gripped my arms like iron manacles.

"Mac, please," I begged, using the nickname I'd heard others call him. The desperation in my voice surprised even me.

His expression tightened, conflicted. For a heartbeat, I thought he might release me. I remembered how he'd come to Elenna's room to warn us, how he'd destroyed the listening crystal. I'd foolishly hoped that meant something – that we shared some kind of friendship, a connection from our similar backgrounds.

But as the butler's footsteps grew louder and Lady Millicent's cane tapped against the floor, I realized Malcolm had been trying to keep me away from this wing entirely. Not to protect me, but so he wouldn't be forced to choose sides.

Stupid, stupid girl. I'd actually hoped Malcolm would help me.

The grip on my arms told me everything I needed to know. His loyalty belonged to his employer, not to me. Not to the girl he'd known since childhood. Not to any friendship we might have had.

"Bring her to the library," Lady Millicent commanded, her voice like ice.

I looked up at Malcolm one last time, silently pleading. For just a second, something flickered in his eyes – hesitation, perhaps even regret. But the moment passed, and his expression hardened.

Malcolm's grip tightened painfully as he pushed me forward. His fingers dug into my arm, leaving red marks on my skin. I struggled weakly, my mind racing with panic and fear. I knew there would be no rescue. These people were too powerful, too dangerous.

I cursed myself for spying alone. King Aurelian had warned me to be careful. Now I understood why.

In the library, Lady Millicent walked to one of the bookshelves, turned a lamp on a nearby table, and pulled out a specific book. A loud click echoed through the space, and the bookshelf split down the middle, sliding apart to reveal a long, dark corridor.

My blood turned to ice. I didn't know where that passage led, but I knew it wasn't anywhere pleasant. Not for someone who'd been caught eavesdropping on secrets.

"You know what to do," Lady Millicent told Malcolm, her eyes never leaving my face.

Without a word, Malcolm pushed me toward the dark opening.

Elenna's POV

I kept glancing at the clock, then at the door, then back at the clock again. Doria should have been here an hour ago to help me prepare for tonight's gathering. This wasn't like her at all.

Even Aurelian had noticed my distraction. "Your handmaid is late," he observed, adjusting the cuffs of his formal attire.

"This isn't like her," I said, unable to hide the worry in my voice. "Something might have happened."

Aurelian remained silent, which only increased my concern. I'd learned that his silence often meant he shared my suspicions but didn't want to alarm me further.

"Maybe we should find Malcolm," I suggested. "He's her friend. He warned us before."

"No." Aurelian's response was immediate and firm.

"But—"

"Malcolm may know Doria and may have warned us, but that doesn't make him an ally," Aurelian explained, his golden eyes serious. "In Millicent's presence, he will obey her will. And your handmaid won't be spared."

I didn't like the way he said that last part, as if Doria might already be— No. I couldn't think that way.

"Aurelian, please don't talk like that..."

He must have noticed my distress because he crossed the room and pulled me into his arms. "If something has happened to her, we need to be more careful. We can watch for her or her friend. Perhaps we'll find answers that way."

His chest was warm against my cheek, his heartbeat steady and strong beneath my ear. The steady rhythm calmed me slightly.

"But we must be careful not to overstep," he continued. "If we want to investigate that secret passage, we can't arouse any suspicion."

"Doria matters to me far more than some door," I said, my voice muffled against his chest.

"If she's been taken, that door might be the way to find her," he countered gently.

I nestled closer, drawing comfort from his warmth and strength. A chill ran through me as Doria's absence made the warnings we'd received feel suddenly more real, more immediate. I blamed myself for bringing her here. If anything happened to her, it would be entirely my fault.

I couldn't shake the feeling that Doria had discovered something – something that prevented her from making it back to us.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. "The hall is prepared," called a servant from the other side. "The other guests have arrived. We await your presence. I will escort you."

Aurelian took my hand, his grip reassuring as we followed the servant downstairs, through the main hall, and toward the great hall. A pair of double doors opened, revealing a long, ornate staircase that led down into a spacious room filled with white-clothed tables and crystal chandeliers. Nobles and dignitaries from various species stood in small groups, their conversations hushed as we appeared.

At the bottom of the stairs stood Lady Millicent, speaking to several guests. As I watched her smile and laugh, a cold dread settled in my stomach. Where was Doria? What had this woman done with my friend?