Rowan and Aquila flew high enough in the sky that they could see the kingdom below them but still were higher than the patrol could detect. They descended in front of Rowan’s home, a large manor located in Wimborne, near the library.

The manor looked mostly the same from the outside. The windows weren’t broken, the door still closed (though unlocked), no sign of breaking in. When they walked inside though, it was clear not all things were normal.

The house was completely empty, no sign of either of his parents. And their room had been completely trashed. There were scattered documents, clothes and possessions thrown about. Rowan felt his heart lurch at the sight of blood on some of the walls and flooring. There had been a physical struggle. He could only pray it hadn’t ended in...

Aquila stepped near him where he stood in their room, interrupting his terrifying line of thoughts.

“What in the world do you think happened here?” she asked quietly, looking around in the same horror he had.

He shook his head, raking his hand through his hair. “It doesn’t seem like it was a break in. Which indicates they were let in. Or... Forced to let them in.”

Aquila tore her gaze away from their surroundings, looking at him. “But let in who?”

Rowan looked at her. “Who do you think?” he asked grimly.

Aquila swallowed. “Do you really think this was Audric’s doing?”

He shrugged. “All I know was that this had to be someone from the inside. To be able to overthrow like this... But that could be a number of people. Querencia’s council is huge. And that’s JUST the council. There’s multiple other ways you could be heavily connected to the royal family.”

“Maybe there’s clues as to their whereabouts around the house?” she suggested.

“No. I doubt it. Besides, it’s a pretty large house. I’d rather spend my time ACTUALLY looking for them, instead of just clues on where they might be. Come on. Let’s head to your house, then look around the kingdom.”

Aquila nodded, following him outside.

The second they left the door, they were shot with powerful tranquilizers and their world went dark. The last sounds they heard was the laughter of men and the pained sounds of their beasts.

***

A full day had passed, and Rowan and Aquila still hadn’t returned. Jesika stood right outside the barn doors in the early morning hours, praying they were on their way back. Darryn joined her, looking just as concerned as her.

“They’re on their way back, right Darryn?” Jesika asked, her voice shaky and unsure.

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He cleared his throat, stiffening. “Of course, Jes. I’m sure everything’s alright.”

Hours passed though, and there was still no sign of their arrival. An uneasiness continued to grow in Jesika and Darryn’s stomachs. When they had still yet to arrive the next morning, they knew the truth.

Something had happened.

Jesika packed her bag, looking at Darryn.

“I’m going after them. Don’t even try to fight me on this, because I--”

He shook his head, stopping her in the middle of her sentence. “I’m not stopping you. I’m going with you. We’ll take Rocky. I don’t know Rowan very well, but that girl with him means quite a bit to me. I’m just as worried as you are.”

Jesika forced a weak smile at him. “Thank you, Darryn. Let’s go.”

They mounted Rocky and left. They rode through the kingdom, using back alleys and unused streets. They tried going to Aquila’s house first but didn’t find them there. They then headed to Rowan’s.

They were riding down the now ominously barren streets, only occasionally passing civilians, when the sound of horses reached their ears. It sounded like it was five or six horses, heading towards them, right around the corner of a building. Darryn and Jesika’s eyes went wide, and Darryn quickly turned Rocky around, running in the opposite way.

Only to be stopped by a band of knights on horseback riding out in front of them. Rocky barked sharply, turning on his heel to run the other way. Yet again, to be met by a band of horses. The leader of this band, being none other than Audric. A slow, wry grin crept to his face. He tilted his head, looking at Jesika behind Darryn. Her blood ran cold at the sight of him... In the apparel of their enemy.

“Well, if it isn’t the disappearing queen?”

She glared at him, wishing she had brought her bow. She could shoot his cold heart before he could blink. “Well, if it isn’t the backstabbing bastard!!”

Audric laughed as his knights rose their bows, aiming at her. “Lower your weapons, men. It’s alright,” Audric paused as the knights lowered them, “if I were you, I would be careful what you say, Your Majesty.”

Jesika bit her lip, trying to keep the traitorous tears at bay. How could this be happening? Why would he do this to her? Didn’t he... Love her? She dug her fingernails into her palms, willing the whirling thoughts and questions away. “Was this really all your doing, Audric? Is it true what they say? That this was always your plan?”

He nodded, still grinning. “Yes, Your Majesty. And I’m quite proud of how things worked out too, if I may so myself. I played a long con, weaseling my way into the royal’s trust. But like I knew it would, it all paid off in the end.”

Not able to contain her anger anymore, Jesika quickly jumped off Rocky, faster than Darryn could stop her. She stood before him, her voice rising, her hands curled into tight fists, her heart racing.

“How could you do this to me?! How could you do this to our kingdom?! I’ve lost EVERYTHING, Audric. EVERYTHING. Have you no heart?!!”

Audric simply laughed, shaking his head. “My, you’re being far too dramatic. You haven’t lost everything. You still have Darryn obviously. And his amarok... For now. Now, onto another matter. You’re looking a little rough. That’s some bad burns. I’m assuming you’re not a dragon slayer, hm?”

Her eyes steeled, her voice lowering. “You wanted me to go, didn’t you? You wanted me to die to that dragon!!!”

His grin disappeared off his face for the first time, his expression darkening as he glared at her. “Yes, Your Majesty. I really wanted you to die. Would’ve made things a hell of a lot easier.”

Jesika paled and her heart skipped a beat as a realization dawned on her. She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. She could barely get the words to come out, could barely look him in the eyes as she asked:

“Aethelinda wasn’t even the real reason for the fire, was she?”

His glare darkened even more. “You know, I think you’ve asked one too many questions, Your Majesty,” his voice said in a gravelly tone. Without another word, the knights rose their bows and fired tranquilizers, knocking Jesika and Darryn out cold.