Eva and George remained in the palace. The King and Queen had returned to their duties, but servants continued to bring them food and drink. Eva chewed nervously on a clove, Alfred had returned without Sioni. He had gathered a search party and set out at dawn, but she’d known it was too late.

All this time, Arelia, all this time and you’ve never given up. She sobbed, but had no tears left to cry. George put his arm around her, the steadfast husband he’d always been. “Malvolia, the witch who took her, it’s my fault.” She whispered. He shook his head.

“Don’t blame yourself, Eva, we tried so hard to protect her, it’s not your fault.” All the same things he’d said before ran together in her mind. She shivered, sat on a velvet couch. “Has Alfred found her yet? It’s nearly dark…” She cooed, almost to herself. “Oh, Sioni, please be alright, you must be alright.”

It had been nearly a day since Alfred had left, with 20 men, to search. There would be a ball when he found her, to announce their engagement.