AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“IZAN!” I scream as I jump out of bed, grabbing my robe on the way out. I run down the hall as fast as I can in search of the second-in-command.
“IZAN!” I repeat, calling for him as I turn down the hallway to his bed chambers. He’s probably sleeping at this hour, but I don’t care.
Dreyden is missing. My mate is missing.
If something happened to him after we exchanged such hurtful words this morning I’ll never forgive myself.
I raise my fist to slam it into Izan’s door, but it swings open just as my hand strikes. Izan jumps back, nearly missing my hit.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, matching my panicked state.
“Dreyden didn’t come back.” I’m out of breath and struggling to get the words out.
“I noticed he wasn’t back for dinner, but I assumed he would be back by nightfall. You’re sure he’s not here?” His voice calms slightly, but I think he’s still worried. He’s trying to be calm for me.
I can’t stay calm in a time like this.
“I-I don’t know. He always comes to bed and it’s the middle of the night. Where else would he be?”
“I’ll check his office,” says a familiar voice from behind Izan.
I peek around Izan, finding Lyra curled up in a chair… in Izan’s bed chambers. She rises to her feet, immediately coming to my side.
Izan grabs a tunic off the back of a chair next to Lyra as he heads for the door. “And I’ll check the kitchen. If he’s not there I’ll alert the legion.”
“I’ll go with you,” I say to Lyra as Izan shuts his door.
We hurry down the hall, nearly sprinting as fast as I ran to find Izan. Lyra isn’t as fast as I am, so I beat her there by a few seconds.
I grip the door knob, forcing the door open in the blink of an eye. I take a step inside, realizing the room is quiet and still. It’s dark and based on the stagnant smell, he hasn’t been in here for days.
“He’s not here,” I whisper through broken breaths.
Lyra comes to a halt behind me as she finally reaches the door to his office. “Go get dressed, then we’ll find him.” Her voice is grim, and I know she’s worried.
Dreydenalwayscomes to bed. There hasn’t been a single night he didn’t, even after our biggest fights. He always comes back to me.
“I’ll be fine in this,” I accidentally snap at my friend before giving her an apologetic look.
“No, you won’t,” she says, eying my silky robe that does very little to conceal my naked body underneath.
I roll my eyes, knowing she’s right but not wanting to waste time. “I’ll meet you at the front entrance in five minutes.”
“I’ll find Izan then we’ll be there.”
“Okay,” I nod as I choke back rising tears.
She sees the pain in my eyes, and she instinctively grabs hold of my hand, drawing it toward her chest as she cups it between her hands. “It’s going to be okay, Adeena. I’m sure he’s fine.” She pulls me into a hug, not giving me the option to resist. “It’s going to be okay,” she repeats as she holds the back of my head with one hand, forcing me into a tighter hug.
I hug her back as silent tears begin rolling down my face. “I was annoyed with him this morning and I said some things I regret. I told him he was not needed here… and I know that’s not true. Idoneed him, but I can’t have him constantly breathing down my throat like he has been since I almost died. It’s not fair.”
She pulls back to stare into my eyes. Her jade-green eyes draw me in with one look. “You can tell him that when he gets back.”
Gods, I hope she’s right.
Dreyden and I need to work on our communication, and that starts the second he gets back here.
“Go get dressed,” she gently reminds me. “See you in five.”
