The balcony is made of dark stone, glossy in the moonlight. Trees from the garden below hide it partially from the view of the city, but the lights still flicker through the leaves like lightning bugs in the mortal realm. Cool air ruffles my hair and I take off my mask, grateful to feel it on my skin. I sigh, tossing my head back. I had expected Briar, wherever she ran off to, to come slipping back when she heard me and saw me without my mask. But she stays hidden.
I growl irritably and pace the balcony, trailing the railing from end to end in search of her. But she isn’t here. Tongue in cheek, I stalk back into the throne room, scanning the crowd for her red, demonic mask. Five minutes later, nose filled with the scent of poppies and roses, I still have yet to find my bride. Suspicion pricks at me, like a small thorn in my chest. I send my shadows over the room and into the halls beyond in search of her signature. I wait as the dark tendrils streak across the floor and along the walls. But I don’t feel her energy anywhere. Eyes narrowed, I use my shadows to find Willem.
My Second is lounging on one of the plush sofas, two demons in his lap. The women stroke his chest and brush their lips over his jaw while he lazes, watching the dancing. A pipe is abandoned nearby, red-tinged smoke still curling from it. I eye the haze-inducing drug with disgust. Willem turns his eyes on me, chest sagging. The women have yet to notice my presence.
“Come to ruin the fun?” Willem drones, palms up.
“Where is Briar?” I ask demandingly.
He raises a brow. “Why should I know? Last I saw her, she was on the balcony recovering from your venom. You should dose her more often—she’s much more interesting when she’s relaxed.”
“Willem,” I growl. “I can’t find her anywhere.”
This gives him pause. He mulls over this until one of the women mewls pathetically, searching for his attention. “I’m sure she’s nearby,” he says, turning his lips to the woman.
A growl rips from my throat. “Willem.”
Willem sighs, lips hovering over the woman’s neck. He rises and they collapse back onto the sofa. They watch sleepily as Willem shrugs. “Sorry, ladies,” he says. “Duty calls.”
“Search the grounds for her,” I say, already looking for the castle guards. “Do it discreetly.”
“You’re the boss,” Willem mutters.
“Willem,” I snap. He pauses mid-step towards the balcony. I relax my brows. “Thank you.”
Willem merely nods before setting off. I approach the castle guards nearby and instruct them to search for Briar quietly and quickly. One by one, the guards slip out of the throne room, unnoticed by my drunk and distracted guests. My eyes rove over the throne room, taking in the swaying bodies and smoke-filled air. The music pulses loudly, aggressively, and the dancers writhe. But no Briar.
I feel a light hand on my arm and stiffen as my mother comes into view. “Darling, what’s wrong?” She asks. Her smile could light up a room if I didn’t know the foulness behind it.
“Briar is missing,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Missing?” Desona’s smile broadens. “I’m sure she’s just returned to her room. A party like this must be too much for the poor girl.”
“She would have handled it, endured it,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
Desona sighs. “Then perhaps she was upset by our conversation earlier, and that’s why she left. But I’m certain she’s alright, just tucked away in her room. Now, let’s enjoy the night.”
I cut my eyes towards her, anger sitting in my chest like a hot coal. “What conversation?”
“Well.” Desona waves a hand. “I just told her she wasn’t quite suited for you. I’m sure you would agree.”
I laugh mirthlessly. My mother wouldn’t have said such a thing as simply and kindly as she claims. No, she would have cut Briar deeply with it and then forced salt into the wound. I turn on her, rising to my full height so I tower over her. My black eyes flash with rage. “You have no business telling Briar such things, mother,” I growl. “You don’t know why I do the things I do, why I need the things I need. Don’t act as if you do. And if you ever speak such words to Briar again, I’ll toss you into Zculth.”
Desona exhales sharply through her nose, an angry sound. “You dare speak to me that way? You may be my son and a member of the Three but I won’t tolerate it.”
“As I won’t tolerate your bullying,” I snap.
“You need time to calm down,” Desona says, ignoring me. “Find me later when you’re relaxed and I’ll accept your apology.”
I scowl at her as she disappears into the crowd. Anger surges through me, violent and desperate. I clench my hand into a fist at my side, wishing there was something nearby I could break. Or for an insignificant victim I can strangle with my darkness. Clanking reaches my ears as a castle guard approaches. He removes his helmet, panting. I glower at him, still nursing my fury at Desona.
“Your Majesty,” the guard says, breathing hard. “We found a body.”
Cold fear lances through me like a spear to the heart. My anger dissolves as every cell in my body is doused with terror. “Is it briar?” I ask numbly.
“We aren’t sure.” The guard shakes his head.
“Show me,” I demand, pushing past him.
He jogs to keep up and guides me through the castle halls to the main floor. I throw open the
