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Why was she breaking protocol? We had a toast!
I chased until I got to the top of the stairway, imagining her there waiting with a glass of champagne and teasing in her eyes, only to see a black masked figure carrying her over his shoulder and rushing through the castle.
My heart stopped for two seconds before I charged down the stairs and gave orders.
“GAURDS!” I yelled. “My queen’s been kidnapped, down the west hallway, grab her, I’ll stop the party, Rupert send the guests home immediately. Tell them I got sick, I’ll grab the kings.”
Rupert lost focus for a brief minute before bowing. “Sire.”
The engagement ball, our engagement ball, ended immediately, of course, people would know something was wrong, but I couldn’t worry about that at the moment, instead I ran to Frederick and Arthur. “We have a problem,” I said under my breath. “And while I’m trying to stay calm. I need you. I need us to be three kings. I need us to do our duty and save our queen.”
Frederick dropped his champagne glass while Arthur kept a pained smile on his face. “What?”
I almost couldn’t get it out, then finally took a deep breath. “Someone took Samira, the guards are on the hunt but I think we might be better. Who would want to capture her and take the throne?” I glared at Frederick.
Arthur squeezed his eyes shut. “Our late cousin? Possibly? Maybe?”
“Who”—I said again—“wants or needs power the most. Tell me now, damn it!”
Frederick looked around the room, then back at me. “Me. Most likely.”
Arthur’s jaw dropped.
I stumbled backward. “What?”
“Prove it.” He leveled his stare. “Prove you’re worthy.”
“By getting her not killed!” I grabbed him by the collar. “What the hell!”
“Risk it all, prove you’re worthy of the crown, and she’ll be fine.” He shoved away from me and dusted the lapels of his coat. “You always knew it would be a battle, yet you wager a war, all I want to see is proof you have what it takes.”
Arthur lunged for him, but I pulled him back. “No.”
“I’ll help you.” Arthur threw his champagne glass to the floor, causing more people to scream and run, perfect. “Let me just think.”
“No.” I shook my head. “No. I’ll do this on my own.”
“But Frederick.” He pointed to the door Frederick was calmly walking out of. “He betrayed you.”
“No. He’s testing me. Because he loved her, he just didn’t realize he’d given his heart up until recently.” I let out a sigh. “And catching him does nothing. He’s smart, he left clues, he’s been planning this since their kiss. He wants to be sure she wants me, not him, and she made him question everything, damn her.”
“And you?”
I felt my throat close up. “I love her.”
Arthur grinned. “I’d say I’m happy for you, but she just got kidnapped by the smartest guy I know, so maybe just… run?”
“Yup.”
“Good on you.”
I bolted toward the foyer then upstairs, did he leave any clues? Was there a way to find her? I searched her room first, nothing, then ran into mine.
The journal was open on my bed.
It was my father’s writing.
“Choose.”
