"They killed her," he said, his voice hollow. "They killed her."
One of his guards knelt beside him. "Your Highness, we need to move. It's not safe here—"
"They KILLED her!" Yifeng's voice cracked, tears burning his eyes. He hadn't loved Princess Liling. Hadn't even liked her much. But she had been under his protection, in his palace, and now she was dead.
Her father will demand war. This will destroy the alliance. This will—
Su Yan.
The thought hit him like lightning.
Su Yan.
"Where is Su Yan?" he gasped, surging to his feet. "The medical hall—has anyone checked the medical hall?"
"Your Highness—"
But Yifeng was already running, his guards scrambling to keep up. Through smoke and fire and bodies, he ran toward the western section where Su Yan's chambers were located.
Please let her be safe. Please.
Her door was open.
The room was empty.
Furniture overturned. Window shattered. Signs of struggle.
"No." Yifeng's voice came out strangled. "No, no, no—"
