Maria’s Perspective:

The moonlight spilled through the narrow window of the inn, casting long shadows across the stone floor. My thoughts were far from the comfortable bed I longed to sleep in. Sleep had been a fleeting companion ever since the night we arrived in Dracathea. Every hour seemed to stretch longer than the last, each moment spent searching felt futile, and still, no sign of Artemis.

I glanced at Arterios, who was still asleep in the corner of the room. His face was etched with the same tension that had consumed him since we left Zoel. I knew he wasn’t getting any more rest than I was, no matter how he tried to hide it. His eyes had a constant look of worry, the weight of his sister’s disappearance pressing down on him. I wondered if it ever got easier for him—the burden of responsibility. I’d never asked, though. I wasn’t sure if he would want to say.

I ran my fingers through my hair and stood, careful not to wake him. The streets of Dracathea had been unfamiliar, each step feeling like I was walking further into a maze of uncertainty. The palace loomed just beyond the city’s walls, its towering structures a constant reminder of the power within. But it wasn’t power we needed right now—it was answers.

I grabbed my cloak, pulling it tight around me as I slipped out the door. The cool night air met me like a slap, but I welcomed it. The streets were quieter now, most people retired for the night, leaving only a few guards and late-night wanderers to patrol the city. The shadows felt familiar, like an old friend I’d learned to trust. But they couldn’t hide the gnawing unease in my gut. Where was Artemis?

The palace was still, silent under the shroud of darkness. The guards posted outside were alert, their eyes scanning every passerby. I stayed in the shadows, hugging the edges of the stone buildings, trying not to draw attention to myself. If I could just find a way inside, maybe—just maybe—I could uncover something that would lead us to her.

I reached the northern wing, the part of the palace where I’d overheard whispers about strange movements and high-ranking officials acting out of sorts. The hallway I followed felt emptier than I expected, no servants or aides moving about, and the air was thick with a sort of oppressive silence. It felt like the building itself was holding its breath.

I turned the corner slowly, my pulse quickening as I approached the door. It was unguarded, which struck me as odd, considering the importance of the area. My heart thudded in my chest, and I knew I couldn’t waste this opportunity. Carefully, I pressed the door open, just enough for me to slip through.

Inside, the room was dimly lit by a few flickering candles. There were bookshelves lined with old scrolls, and a large table at the center, cluttered with papers. The air was thick with the smell of ink and parchment, but none of it seemed to matter. I was searching for one thing: any clue that might tell me where Artemis was.

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I started sifting through the papers, my hands trembling slightly as I flipped through the documents. Most of them were official-looking reports—trade agreements, military matters, or diplomatic letters. None of it had anything to do with Artemis. There was nothing that pointed to where she might be. Frustration rose in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn’t afford to panic. Not yet.

Suddenly, a faint creak echoed from the hallway. I froze, my heart pounding in my ears. I had only seconds before someone might come in. I quickly shoved the papers back into a drawer and moved to hide behind a tapestry. I held my breath, trying to stay as still as possible.

The footsteps grew louder, and then the door opened. I felt my chest constrict as I watched a figure step into the room. My heart nearly stopped when I realized who it was.

It was a guard, but not one I had seen before. He moved toward the desk, his gaze sweeping the room. I could see his hand resting near the hilt of his sword. My mind raced—if he found me, there would be no escaping this.

I had to act quickly.

I reached into the pouch at my waist and pulled out a small vial of powder—something I had gotten from one of the merchants in Zoel. It was supposed to help in situations like this—if thrown, it would create a puff of smoke that could obscure vision long enough for me to make an escape. My fingers fumbled slightly as I uncorked the vial, but I didn’t waste time. I tossed it toward the center of the room.

The puff of smoke exploded in the air, and I rushed out from behind the tapestry. I darted for the door, my heart hammering in my chest. The guard cursed, but I didn’t stop to listen. I shoved the door open and bolted down the hallway, my footsteps echoing off the walls as I rounded the corner.

I didn’t slow down until I was outside, the cool night air filling my lungs. The palace loomed ahead of me, dark and silent. I glanced behind me to make sure no one had followed. No one had.

I took a moment to steady my breath, letting the adrenaline subside, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had missed something—something important. There had to be a connection between what I’d found in that room and Artemis’s disappearance, but what?

I turned back toward the inn, my pace slower now. Every step felt heavier, like the weight of my failure was pulling me down. I had hoped that I could find something—anything—that would give us a direction. But there was no sign of Artemis. No sign of where she might be.

I arrived at the inn to find Arterios still awake, sitting by the window, his gaze distant. The moonlight caught his features, and for a brief moment, I was struck by how different he seemed in the quiet of the night—more human, more... vulnerable. It was a side of him I hadn’t seen much of. In the midst of this endless search, he almost seemed more like someone trying to hold onto something slipping away.

When he saw me, his eyes filled with concern, pulling me from my thoughts.

“You didn’t find her, did you?” he asked quietly.

I shook my head, the frustration rising in my chest again. “No. Nothing. It’s like she was never here.”

He stood slowly, his jaw tight. “Then we keep looking. We can’t stop now, Maria. We’ll find her.”

I nodded, though doubt gnawed at my insides. Where was Artemis? Was she even here, or had she already been taken somewhere else? I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud, but somewhere deep inside, I feared we were too late. And even if we weren’t—if Artemis was still out there—could we reach her in time?

I looked at Arterios again, his figure bathed in moonlight, and despite everything, something in me didn’t want to leave him alone with the weight of this search. His determination, his quiet strength—it made something warm stir in my chest.

But it wasn’t the time for feelings, n

ot now.

“We will,” I said softly. “We’ll find her.”