Kaelen's pov
"Without guards." Lena's face had gone pale. "Without protection. Without telling anyone where she was going."
We looked at each other.
"We need to search the grounds," I said, already moving toward where my sword belt lay. "She cannot have gone far. Maybe she just needed air. Maybe she went to the gardens"
"In the middle of the night? In secret?" Lena shook her head. "No. Something is wrong. Very wrong. And it's all your fault."
She moved to the door with sudden decision, throwing it open.Her voice carried down the corridor, sharp and commanding before I could stop her.
"Guards! I need guards here immediately!"
The response was almost instant. Footsteps echoed in the hallway. I heard voices, confused and alarmed. Within seconds, two palace guards appeared in the doorway, their faces showing the kind of alert concern that came from hearing that tone in a voice.
