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“What?” I demand.

He studies me as if he’s not sure how to break the news. “Camellia has vanished.”

I stare at him blankly. “I’m sorry?”

“Several of her ladies have gone missing, too, and my father was worried that Bartholomew might be targeted as well.”

“She waskidnapped?” Henrik demands, immediately stepping forward.

“We believe so, yes. Though when we left, there was no ransom note.”

“Who do you think has taken her?” I ask, and a horrid part of me wonders who wouldwanther.

“We don’t know.” Lawrence shakes his head, and then he suddenly yanks me into his arms and presses a hand to the back of my head as he holds me close. “I’m so thankful you’re all right. I swear you’re not leaving my side until we find Camellia.”

“We have news as well,” Henrik says to my brothers, all but ignoring Lawrence and me. “Let’s return to the guard post, and we’ll discuss it there.”

Henrik briefly meets my eyes when Lawrence releases me, and my stomach knots with indecision.

“How do you know she was kidnapped?” Bartholomew asks as we walk back.

“A body was found in her quarters,” Gavriel says soberly. “Drained of blood. It seems to be the work of dark magic.”

I suck in a breath, and my world begins to spin.

The cut on the palm of Camellia’s hand—the rag drenched in blood. I’ve been so consumed with Henrik, I’d completely forgotten about the strange scene I walked into that day before the princess commanded me to leave.

“When was this?” Henrik asks, his tone off.

Lawrence glances at him, obviously irritated that Henrik is part of the conversation. “About the time my sister sent Lady Clover away like a common messenger with a letter foryou.”

Denny clears his throat, picking up on the animosity between them. The group continues walking, but Henrik pauses.

His expression shadows with incredulous disbelief…followed by suspicion. Slowly, he turns his eyes on me, and my throat goes tight. The accusation in Camellia’s note circles in my head, making me sick.

Surely Henrik doesn’t believe thatIhad something to do with Camellia’s disappearance. Hecouldn’t.

But…I think he does.

To be continued…