Page 67 of Until the Stars Fall

“Seriously though,” Matthias said, elbowing me in the arm, “if you’re not going to eat that…”

With a sigh, I shoved the plate in his direction. He wasn’t wrong about it being my favorite, but this sense of foreboding was twisting my stomach into a knotted mess.

“Better eat it fast though,” I said. “Looks like the king is about to dismiss everyone to the terrace.”

“Nothing like dancing and wine to help with digestion,” Matthias said before greedily shoving a large bite into his mouth.

He hummed with satisfaction, and I rose from my seat, planting my hand on his shoulder. “I’m going to get some fresh air. Let me know if you spot her.”

Matthias nodded as he forced another forkful into his mouth.

At least the torte wouldn’t go to waste.

Out on the terrace I meandered around the crowd, nodding and greeting our guests as my station required. All the while, I searched for any sign of Lieke’s blonde hair or dark blue eyes. This proved quite the challenge, with everyone swarming around like bees in a hive.

I settled myself against one of the columns lining the space, bemoaning this irritating sense of duty that had me standing on the outskirts of the party watching for threats instead of enjoying myself. Was this what it meant to rule?

Always sacrificing.

Always watching.

Always serving.

Glancing over to where I’d last seen my father, I found him chatting with an older female—a widow, if I remembered correctly. He seemed genuinely happy, more so than he had in years. Perhaps ruling didn’t have to be nothing but work. Then again, the king had his sons to help keep the peace and protect the people. He could afford to relax and enjoy himself now and then when he had me to deal with the nation’s problems.

Movement to my right caught my attention, and I turned to find Matthias walking briskly toward me, his mouth set in a hard line.

“Is she here?” I asked once he got closer, but he was already shaking his head.

“No. Worse.”

I pushed myself away from the column. “What could be worse—”

“Griffin.”

A curse echoed through my mind. “What about him?”

Matthias’s brows shot up. “He’s gone. He wasn’t too far from me when we came out here. I lost track of him for a second, only to catch sight of him going back inside. By the time I pushed my way to follow, he was gone.”

Griffin. In the palace.

Lieke.

“Shit.”

“My thought exactly,” Matthias said. “Think he’s looking for some way to sabotage—”

“He’s looking for her.” I started to walk away, but my friend caught my arm and pulled me back.

“Her as inher?” he asked, his eyes widening. I nodded. “But why?”

Pulling my arm out of his grip, I nodded toward the doors. “I’ll explain later. But we need to find him, before he finds her.”

When I made to step toward the palace, Matthias stopped me again. I followed his line of sight until I spotted them. Two of my father’s personal guards stalked through the crowd, heading for the king.

“I think he already found her,” Matthias whispered.

“I hope you’re wrong.”

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