When I returned to the bedroom, Elva was missing from the bed. I nearly screamed, were it not for both of maids, who quickly approached me.

“W–where’s Elva?” I asked them, panic quaking my voice.

“You caused a right commotion, running around,” the talkative maid said. “It was enough to catch the

attention of Prince Nicholas.”

Nicholas? “He’s still at the banquet…?”

I remembered looking back at him as I was leaving. He’d been smiling at an eager girl desperate for his

attention.

“The banquet is still occurring,” the maid said. “He must have excused himself early.”

Why would he do such a thing? Surely he hadn’t overheard what Susie said about Elva? Even if he had, he w

wouldn’t have cared… would he?

“Prince Nicholas.came in here,” the quieter maid said. “He felt Elva’s fever, and then carried her out of

this room himself.”

I struggled to think straight. I only knew that wherever

to

make her leave the palace, would he? She was just

changed from three years ago, he wouldn’t hurt Elva. I was certain of that. Especially when I thought of how

where would he take

prince. Nowhere in the palace was off–limits to him. Where would I even begin

to his room. That was a grave offense. Nathan had made clear that

to be strong for Elva. I needed to

trying to think I wanted to scream

I

knacked on the door, I glanced,

had told me they’d

fully at me. “Miss Piper, you are to go to

with me. I’ll show

guard. Sensing my urgency, he maintained a fast pace as he led me through the back hallways of the palace, through places Nathan had not included

surely allowed if I’d been summoned, right?

beheading if it

beds and a wall of bookcases. Several tables were

equipment and microscopes.

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