Page 60 of Enchanted Shadows (The Enchanted Kingdom #6)

That evening as the sun set, more of my hope fading along with it, two guards from opposite ends of the forest came with a piece of her red dress. Even just seeing it, seeing a piece of an article of clothing from her body, it strangely killed me while reviving hope in me simultaneously.

Krew handed it to me, placing it into my palm. I crushed it in my grip as I held onto it for dear life.

Kessara had traveled greatly it seemed.

As I listened to people arguing around me, realization dawned on me. Maybe she was intentionally laying a trail. If not for us, for Calix. For Bram. Maybe we hadn’t found her yet because she didn’t want to be found.

My instincts were screaming at me to find her.

To not stop until she was back in my arms where she belonged.

But the thing about my wife was that she was just brilliant enough and definitely stubborn enough to want to trap Calix.

Given how long she had been without food and water, she had a narrow window left to try.

My heart cracked deeper as I cleared my throat, all eyes turning to me.

My eyes were on Krew’s as I said, “I think she’s trying to lure Calix and Bram.

That’s why we only have two articles of clothing in two days of searching.

Seems likely there were more, but they were already found.

Our manhunt is forcing all parties into hiding.

We need to pull back some, form a proper perimeter with hidden guards, and see if one or all three will come out. ”

How I got the words out without my soul tearing from my body was beyond me. I didn’t want this. I wanted to send in more people. I’d send every person in the kingdom into that forest if I thought it would help us find Kessara.

But it seemed there was a game afoot. A game we were not privy to, thus not helping in.

As more plans were made, teams brought back in, a heavily guarded barrier decided upon, I had to remind myself with every sharp breath into the cold air that she was not alone. The wolves were out there, the forest too.

I wanted to walk the forest all night long, but I was still fighting burnout and had only gotten a few hours of sleep. I’d only make myself an easier target to kill if I attempted it tonight.

“Owen,” Jorah said gently.

I turned, looking at the queen of Wylan. Krew had forced her to stay up in their rooms on lockdown, not trusting the castle to be safe until Calix and Bram were found. Still, she’d come down a little bit ago, refusing to hide away.

I could see the apology all over her face.

More than I could see it, I could feel it.

So I wasn’t all that surprised when she said, “I’m sorry.

They came in through the balcony doors. Startled us both.

She—” she cut off and a tear quickly trailed down her cheek, “she tossed me in her shadows and hid me behind your closet door. She wouldn’t let them find me. ”

“Sounds like her.”

Jorah continued, “I’m sorry I cut you off, locked down our bond. I was foolishly hoping we’d have it handled, and they’d find Calix and Bram. I didn’t want to worry you. I should’ve told you right away what was going on.”

She should have, but I didn’t derive joy in telling her “I told you so.” Not in this. After a beat or two, I added, “I’m doing my best to lock it down now, to not let my emotions down our bond.”

She held up a hand. “Don’t. You don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I do. These emotions are heavy enough to carry on my own.” And before she could cry another tear, I said, “I’m going to go shower. Wait for news.”

To my already retreating back she said, “I think you’re right. She’s trying to lure them. And we might be only delaying whatever game they’re all playing. She’s smart, Owen.”

Kessara was smart as hell, but I had also experienced even in her strength, her struggle under the attacks of Calix’s shadows. I hoped like hell that by pulling teams back a bit, I was giving her space to get free, not giving Calix an opportunity to further hurt her.

I headed for my room, without delay.

There I waited. I waited until I started the shower water, turning it to a scalding hot.

I had the door shut, but I waited until I put up a sound barrier around the bathroom, specifically the shower.

And I waited until I had locked down and froze that connection between Jorah and me, willing that nothing more from this night would she feel down our bond.

I waited until I was free of my clothes, free of the day’s weight.

Then and only then, did I slide to the floor and let it out.

How had the sun dared to shine so brightly all day long when my heart was shattered so thoroughly? That the organ could keep working and keep me upright beyond its breaking point was a marvel. A resiliency I wished I didn’t know I possessed.

As the water washed over me, becoming one with the tears that tore from me, I let out a yell. My fist pounded against the shower wall as I screamed again. I wanted to shatter the shower itself, but instead found myself slumping to the ground.

Without Kessara, I was but a shadow of myself, incapable of being at full capacity without her.

With a fierce passion I hated this hollow feeling growing within me. Every passing hour of her disappearance made it spread a little farther, tore a little more hope from me. How much more of this agony until it consumed me whole, and I was left nothing but a shell?

Where. Was. She.