Every nerve in Lucas's body was screaming to return to the servant's quarters, to scour the marble tiles for a footprint or a lingering trace of the girl who had occupied far too much of his thoughts lately.
But he is the shadow of the throne.
And right now, that throne had ordered a distraction.
"Princess Jasmine."
Lucas stepped into her line of sight, his voice a smooth.
Jasmine flinched slightly, her hand flying to the gold locket at her throat. She looked every bit a terrified princess, her ocean-blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Lucas." she exhaled, her chest heaving.
"Alex... he told me to stay in the hall, but I couldn't. The blood, the message... is it true? Is that poor girl really gone?"
"His Highness is concerned for your safety above all else, Princess,"
Lucas said, bowing just low enough to be respectful, but not so low that I lost sight of her hands.
