“The prince? How could that be?”

“Sioni mentioned that the prince had been visiting her for a month. I’m sure it was him.”

“I wished you had told me about this before, milady wife.”

I averted my gaze, ashamed. I didn’t like disappointing my husband.

“I’m very sorry, husband,” I said meekly.

“But why would he bring her harm? Maybe they just ran away together.”

I shrugged, suddenly very tired. “I don’t know. All I know is that he had been visiting her. Remember what you found in her tower. Maybe she is hurt.”

“Well, then we need to pay a visit on his royal highness. Get some rest. I’m going to ready the horses. We leave in the morning.”

~

At dawn, we mounted our horses and headed towards Longview Castle. It took us about two and a half hours to get there. We rode without stopping, without speaking. I watched as the rising sun illuminated the countryside, as the world began waking up. I prayed fervently for Sioni’s safety, every hoofbeat a chant in my mind:

Please. Please let Sioni be all right.