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They walked for a long time as she looked inside each one, crinkling her nose at the putrid smell. There were no torches lit, no guards, and there was only one reason for that.

“They are all empty,” Valerie commented, unable to keep the frown from her voice.

“Did you really think I would bring you here if they were occupied?” Geryon chuckled, folding his arms across his chest with a smug look.

He tricked me into thinking I would see vile prisoners.As much as she was relieved there weren’t any, because she didn’t want to face imprisoned men or women, she wasn’t at ease.Kaeylyn is not here.

Her heart rate picked up in anxiety.Where is she?Where was her sister if she was not here in a cell?Did they kill her? Did they send her somewhere else?Is she somewhere else inside the palace, a special place only for Witches?

Panic was beginning to build.What if I never find her?

“Hey, what is the matter?” Geryon asked, reaching forward to cup the nape of her neck.

She frowned in his direction at the calming and caring gesture. She wanted to thank him for it, but Valerie also knew she wasn’t showing any signs of distress. She didn’t understand how he would know she was riddled with it.

“I am merely upset that you tricked me,” she answered, stepping away with a composed face. She settled the quick rhythm of her heartbeat.

Geryon shook his head, the brightness of humour on his features. “I did not think you would be so upset by my game. At least you got to see the dungeon. With it empty, it meant there was no harm in me doing so.”

“I guess that is true. It is far more impressive than the one in Dyèrie manor,” she said as she pretended to look around with interest. “I wish to leave now.”

It was back to what Valerie was originally doing: searching the palace aimlessly. She knew her sister wasn’t on the bottom level, since every room besides the war room had been unlocked. Now, she knew she also wasn’t inside the dungeons.

There were two more floors to search, and it had taken her two days to search the lower level.

Valerie wasn’t sure what would happen after her day with King Bradwick, which was in two days. She may not have the freedom she did now to search.Am I running out of time?

She sincerely hoped not.

“Lady Cecily, please wake up,” Valerie heard Victoria plead as she shook her shoulder.

With a grumble, still half asleep, she sat up in her bed. A tray of breakfast was placed in her lap in a rushed manner. Victoria stood beside her bed like she did most mornings, but she was bouncing, seeming to wait for Valerie to wake fully.

This was her seventh day within the palace walls, and not once had the woman ever woken her like this. Valerie waved her hand, irritated by her behaviour. “What is it, Victoria?”

The woman gave a high-pitched squeal of excitement. Kicking her legs forward, she jumped while shaking her hands near her face.

“I heard something rather big from one of the kitchen maids this morning when I asked for your breakfast,” she giggled. “I think you will be rather shocked to hear it.”

“Out with it,” Valerie said, before she put a spoonful of her porridge mixed with fruits into her mouth.

“Lady Charlotte was seen walking the hallways early this morning in a disarray.” Pausing with a second spoonful near her lips, her eyes fell on Victoria, whose smile turned into a grin. “She was seen coming from the king’s chambers.”

“King Bradwick took Charlotte to his bed?”

She had sex with the king.If she was seen departing from it in the early hours of the morning, then there was no doubt about it.

“I inquired further,” Victoria started, before pausing. She was making her wait, like what she was about to say was worth it. “The guards say she did not walk into it with him. She must have snuck into his chamber when the guards were changing and awaited him.”

“Well, that is quite scandalous.” Rather than being outraged, it would appear Bradwick had taken the young lady instead. “I did not expect Charlotte to do something so brazen. She very much wishes to be queen.”

“It is also her day to spend with the king.”

She did it on a day a different lady was courted by him.

“I am curious to know how the other ladies are taking such news.” Valerie could care less who was in the king’s bed, and if she could help it, she would avoid being there herself.

“I must say, I am very excited to be with the court today.”