Kingsley's Bride

Chapter 41

We followed the woman through the market, keeping a safe distance but close enough to see her every move. My heart was pounding in my chest, each beat louder than the last.

The woman moved with a strange kind of grace, her head covered with a shawl, shoulders hunched as if she wanted to blend into the crowd but was still wary of being watched. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was Meredith, despite the doubts swirling in my mind.

Lord Darius stayed close, his hand brushing against mine as we weaved through the crowded streets. He didn't speak, his jaw tight, eyes focused solely on our target. His presence was reassuring, even though the tension between us hadn't completely disappeared.

Finally, the woman turned down a narrow street, away from the bustling market. My breath caught in my throat. This could be it.

Just as we rounded the corner, a gust of wind caught her shawl, pulling it back. For a second, I froze, my eyes widening in shock. Her face was not Meredith's, not even close. The woman had deep scars, her skin mottled and burned, as if she had been through an unimaginable ordeal.

I gasped, and Lord Darius cursed under his breath.

"It's not her," I whispered, the disappointment thick in my voice. I had been so sure.

The woman adjusted her shawl quickly, her head turning slightly in our direction, but she didn't see us. We both sighed in relief, stepping back into the shadows.

"Let's move on," Lord Darius muttered, taking my arm gently as we continued down the alley. The disappointment weighed heavy, but I couldn't afford to dwell on it. Meredith was still out there, somewhere.

As we moved deeper into the alley, the noise from the market faded, replaced by the low hum of distant voices and the occasional creak of old buildings. Just as we were about to turn the corner, I stopped in my tracks.

A voice. A voice I knew too well.

I grabbed Lord Darius's arm, stopping him mid-step.

"Do you hear that?" I whispered, my heart suddenly racing for a different reason.

Lord Darius frowned, listening intently, but he shook his head. "No."

"It's her. It's Meredith," I insisted, my pulse quickening. I could feel it in my bones. I knew that voice.

Lord Darius's eyes sharpened, and he nodded, trusting me without question.

"Where?"

I pointed to a small, run-down house on the side of the alley. There was no door that we could see, only a tiny ventilator high on the wall. The voice came from inside, muffled but distinct.

"There," I whispered, glancing up at the narrow opening. "I think she's inside."

Lord Darius looked up at the small vent, his brow furrowing. "We need to see in there." His eyes flickered to me, and before I could protest, he crouched down, holding his hands out.

"I'll lift you."

"What?" I blinked in surprise, glancing between him and the vent. "My lord, you can't just lift me up there."

"Yes, I can," he replied with a smirk, his confidence unwavering. "Come on, Scarlett, we don't have time to argue. Trust me."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure. But the determination in his eyes, the urgency of the situation, left me no choice. I placed my foot in his hands, gripping his shoulders for balance. To my surprise, he lifted me effortlessly, his strength making the motion seem easy. I steadied myself, one hand bracing against the wall as I peered through the small vent.