The Red King [Book II]

XXXIII

Alex stormed out of the room in a panic, and Lucia was quick to chase after him, a weak grip slipping off his arm.

ㅤ"Lord Alex!"

ㅤ"I'll find her," he swore. "It's baking out there, I'll go and—"

ㅤ"You wouldn't know where to look!"

ㅤ"I will find her."

ㅤAnd urgently. It would've taken Lucia at least an hour to reach the palace; Emily would've been out there far longer.

ㅤ"Please—"

ㅤAs he strode off, Lucia slipped, and he grabbed her by instinct, clenching her weak, trembling wrist.

ㅤ"Let me come too," she pleaded.

ㅤHis face screwed up. She was pale, clammy, and postpartum, barely holding her body up over the ground. She'd traversed all the way to the palace on foot for his help with her newborn on her chest, its piercing cries echoing tinny in his ears.

ㅤEvery second here was one more moment little Emily might get trampled under hooves or snatched in an alley. A small girl wandering the city's maze at high sun could provoke a variety of ends. The thoughts made him sick.

ㅤ"No. You'll do no such thing."

ㅤ"But—"

ㅤHe hunched down to look her in the eye. "I'm faster. Wait here and trust me."

ㅤSeconds stepped by painfully, nails dragging over marble, until she ultimately relented, and his held breath escaped him.

ㅤ"She doesn't like crowds—she'll try to hide somewhere."

ㅤ"I know."

ㅤHe knew that. He knew Emily was scared of people.

ㅤThe baby's shrieks had attracted the notice of more than a few guards, and Alex summoned one over.

ㅤ"Sit her down and get her a horse home."

ㅤ"Lord Alex, you don't n—"

ㅤ"Lucia," he asserted. "Do as I say."

ㅤThe guard delicately took her elbow, nodding over his colleague. "Yes, Your Grace."

ㅤ"I will meet you at home," he promised, pulling his cape over his shoulders. He'd already wasted enough time, and he could feel it quickly running out on him.

ㅤ"You—"

ㅤ"Alex?"

ㅤHe froze. Within the frame of his exit, Fletcher's slight body stood. But Alex didn't have time to comfort him, not as the scholar realised who this fragile guest was, so he strolled past with a gritted jaw, avoiding whatever look was on his face.

ㅤThe stableboys liked delaying him, so he didn't acquire a horse in his rush, instead heading straight for the gate, skipping steps as he was blasted by the sudden wall of the sun. He didn't retreat to pick up his cloak that'd fallen as he'd fumbled the clasp, leaving it behind to be trampled.