“It’s only rumors at the moment. Gossip.”

Rehn took a step toward Idris. “Go on.”

Idris let out a breath and divulged.

“No one knows for certain, but some are suggesting it was magic.”

“Magic? That’s how Drystan got out?” Rehn sounded skeptical. He had been hoping it was something at least a little more solid.

“Maybe. There have been stranger things that you and I have seen.”

“I know. But shifters don’t have access to powers like that?—”

“It may have been magical help, not Drystan alone. As unlikely as it seems, there are people out there that would try to overthrow you, no matter how good of a king you are.”

Rehn sat in silence, letting what had been said sink in while Idris answered his phone.

He knew Idris was right. That was the way of the world. Someone always wanted power and would do anything to gain it. Alliances, betrayal, the whole nine yards. Especially if they were as determined and deranged as Drystan.

I should have executed him immediately instead of holding him for so long, he lectured himself, unable to stop feeling like he let his sleuth and entire kingdom down.

“Good news,” Idris said, putting his phone down.

Rehn pulled out of his dark thoughts.

“What did you find out?”

“They were able to track Drystan. We caught his scent about fifty yards beyond the castle.”

Rehn was surprised. “Fifty yards out? Nothing inside?”

Idris shook his head. “No. Not that they picked up.”

“Huh. Okay.” Had Drystan really magicked his way out of the kingdom’s cell? It confused Rehn more than answered anything. “Anyway,” he continued, getting back on track, “can they tell where they’re heading?”

Now, a nod. “Yes. And we know where he's going. I’ve got men trailing him and his path is determined.”

“Good. Tell them to stay back. I want to handle this myself.”

“I understand, but the risk?—”

“Enough,” Rehn snapped.

He knew it was Idris’s responsibility as his advisor to suggest he stay out of one-on-one conflict. But that meant Idris knew the common dance as well.

“You already know what I’ll do either way.”

Idris nodded, a small smirk at the familiarities.

Rehn saw and it made him try and see a better side of this devastating turn of events. Being on the quiet side worked to the king’s advantage, but it also remained hard to keep in check, especially when his bear roared for reactive action.

Forcing his broad, muscular shoulder to relax, Rehn took a deep breath through his nose.

“So, tell me, what is the direction we are getting from the trace?”

Idris raised his black brows with speculation. “It seems he’s heading toward the Sorcerer’s Academy in the next territory over. His pace is not rushed though, so I highly doubt he’s aware we even know he’s missing.”

Rehn stroked his thick reddish-brown mustache into his beard as he thought about the bold choice Drystan had made and how the bastard needed to face punishment now more than ever.