Chapter 3

Finished 

Back at Ravenhall, the lamps were still burning in Lucien’s bedchamber. He sat chest–deep in a tub packed with ice, and it was barely enough to hold down the fire tearing through him. 

“Your Highness.” Griffin came in quietly with his head down. “We didn’t find her.” 

The room went still. Lucien didn’t move and didn’t answer. 

Sweat beaded at Griffin’s temples, and he made himself keep going. “We searched every inch of the grounds. All we turned up was this, at the gap in the northwest wall…” 

He drew something out of his coat and held it out in both hands. It was a hairpin. 

Lucien stepped out of the tub and pulled his coat off the screen, and water ran from his wet hair down his jaw, across his chest, and lower. He crossed to Griffin and took the pin.