Page 183 of The Chains You Defy

Dion,

Before you drive yourself crazy, speak to the others. Alaiann wasn’t safe for me anymore, so they organized an alternative option. My location isn’t a secret or unknown.

Looking forward to seeing you soon, princeling.

Naya

Even though the message smelled faintly of her, the note did nothing to soothe my apprehension.

And when there was a knock on my door and my uncle entered, only one glance at his face was enough to understand that something was wrong. Very wrong.

No.

A low growl rumbled in my chest as I fought hard not to lose control of my temper. “Where’s Nayana?”

“Dion, keep your calm. Galrach is searching for you. His spies notified him of your return.”

“I don’t fucking care about what the asshole wants.Where—is—Nayana?”

“I will explain after you promise to be smart and not to explode. Everything necessary has already been prepared. Plans are in place, but you have to listen first before you jump blindly into action.”

My next growl was even more menacing. The primal energy inside of me pushed to the surface, a feral beaston the verge of turning rabid, ready to pounce. “Where is she?”

“Where?”

“Everything was organized to bring her to safety, to hide her in Banrion. Ireas’ eldest sister owns an apartment on the outskirts there, and since no one at the High Court has ever heard of her, this would have been the perfect hiding place.”

“I don’t want to listen to hypotheses,I—want—to—know—where—she—is.” Vibrating all over, I was fighting with my restraint. If my uncle wasn’t spilling the information soon, I couldn’t guarantee for his or anyone’s well-being. Or life.

Yet Antas did his best to appear calm.

As if anything could pull me off the edge I was teetering on.

“Nayana was aware of how she was supposed to leave that one morning. The coach was waiting for her. But someone else was faster.”

“Where, Antas?Where?” The darkness coating my voice reverberated through the quarters, dimming the light with its intensity. That was the moment when I lost the internal battle, and my patience snapped. I leaped forward and pinned my uncle against the wall. Didn’t matter that he was one of the few people I usually trusted—he was avoiding giving me the answer I demanded. There was no other option but violence.

“Cuirt an Ghra. Cantarlann accompanied her. We assume Galrach won him over at last.”

Antas crumpled down the wall as I released him, but I ignored him, grabbing mybag once more.

All my insides were completely numb. The Court of Love was halfway across the world. Much too far to shadowwalk.

Fuck.

“You’ll tell me every detail as soon as we are on the road. Because you’re coming with me, so we can travel hard and fast. And if you have to use every single drop of your magic, I don’t fucking care.” I wasn’t above ordering around everybody on a better day, but in this moment, I’d kill without hesitation if anyone dared to defy me. Antas must have sensed the danger he was in since he accepted my behavior without resistance.

“Yes, I will accompany you. Fig, Thain, and Ireas have already departed. They are traveling separately and will meet us later since I don’t have the power to speed up all of us.”

“Fuck where they are. Fuck you. If your wind magic weren’t necessary, I’d go alone. You were supposed to protect her.”

“She is one of us, Dion. You are not the only one out of yourself. Ireas threw up because he had such a bad conscience. So restrain yourself. We will meet at the stables in thirty minutes, but consider talking to Galrach first. Let him gloat and unearth useful information.”

Antas’ proposal hit the little part of my mind still capable of some semblance of rationality.

“But don’t complain if Alaiann Palace will only be a pile of rubble very soon.” With a sharp nod and even sharper words, I left my quarters with big strides, together with burning fury as my only companion. I barely noticed Antas following me.

As expected, Galrach lounged on top of his throne, lording over the present courtiers and guards. Lucky for them, no one stopped me as I barged in, teeth bared, growling and snarling.