Before I Let Go (Skyland #1)(34)

I feared that she wouldn't stop until I was puking, and I breathed a sigh of relief when Sorin rushed out onto the courtyard. I was looking forward to his cocky banter, because at least I could catch my breath.

I pressed my hands against my knees and bent at my waist as I swallowed breath after breath. But my head snapped up at the sound of Thalia’s worried voice.

“What's wrong?”

I looked to Sorin, and he was taking short, shallow breaths, and his eyes were wide with panic.

“It's Evren.” His hand was held firmly against his dagger. “We just received word from Jorah that Queen Kaida knows of his treason.”

Everything stopped. Everything but my raging panic. “What does that mean?” My magic swirled inside of me, and I feared that even though I’d been training to control it, I wouldn’t be able to right now.

Sorin simply shook his head, and it angered me. Fueled me.

“What does that mean?” I growled, and his gaze snapped to me.

“I don't know.” His voice shook with emotion he tried to hide.

I shouldn’t have been angry with him, but I couldn't stop the way it was crawling inside of me. The anger and the fear. It was taking over, and Sorin was the one bringing it out in me even though he wasn’t doing it purposefully.

I had no control.

“Where is my mate?” I snapped as inky black magic trailed from my fingers, and I watched as Sorin looked down and took it all in. But I lost the ability to pull it back. My heart raced as my power felt so uncontrollable. Evren was in trouble, and I couldn't just stand here and work on my breathing while attempting to control my magic. I didn’t need to do anything but get to him.

“He’s missing.” Sorin delivered the line like it didn’t pierce through my entire soul and rock my entire being.

He was missing. My mate was missing and that could only mean…

I shook my head as I tried to shake off my fear. I couldn’t go there. I couldn’t let myself begin to fathom what that could mean.

“I’m going after him,” I growled out through clenched teeth.

I moved to the side of the courtyard and grabbed my dagger before either of them could stop me. I heard Sorin curse under his breath, but I didn’t allow it to slow me down. I needed to get to Evren, and no one was going to stand in my way.

I rushed through the door, back into the castle, and my hands trembled. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew that I couldn’t just sit here. He was their prince, but he was my mate, and I wouldn’t allow us to sit here while only the gods knew what was happening to him.

I pushed down the hall but stopped short when Queen Veda moved into my path. Her dark hair was a mess as if she had been running her fingers through it, and two of her guards stood at her back at full attention.

“I’m taking it you’ve heard the news of Evren.” Her voice was so controlled, so calm, and I hated it.

“I have.” I went to move past her, but she sidestepped and blocked me.

“You can’t go after him.”

I met her gaze, and I held it there for a long time. She wasn’t my queen. I wasn’t hers to rule.

“I am.” My voice held conviction, and I wondered if she could taste my power as it thrummed through every part of me. “You can’t stop me.”

“You are the Starblessed that has been prophesied, Adara. Evren would kill me if I allowed you to fall back into the hands of his brother by not protecting you.”

“And I will kill you if you don’t move out of my way.” I felt someone at my back at that moment, and my anger rose as I expected them to stop me. But Thalia did no such thing. She simply stood behind me, her chest pressed against my back, and stayed silent.

“I am not your enemy, Adara.” The queen looked past me and her brow furrowed. “But I will lock you away until he’s found if you force my hand.”

Thalia moved even closer to me, her chest pressing fully against my back, and even though I knew she had been a part of this kingdom for much longer than she knew me, every part of me knew that she would choose me if the queen forced her to.

If it came down to the queen or me, Thalia would choose me.

“That won’t be necessary.” Sorin moved to my side, and he smiled at the queen. “Me and my men are heading out within the hour to search for our prince, and Adara and Thalia will stay back in case there is any news.”

My gaze shot to him, and I wanted to tell him that he was crazy. I wanted to demand that he take me with him, but his eyes widened and his jaw ticked. It wasn’t an order. It was a silent plea for me to listen.

And I looked back to the queen but kept my mouth shut.

She watched me carefully with her lips pressed together in a thin line. “You have to handle things carefully, Sorin.” She finally looked away from me. “We don’t know what all Queen Kaida knows.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Sorin bowed his head slightly as Thalia took my hand in hers. “And neither of you shall leave the palace.”

I could feel Thalia’s magic flare against my own in my palm. Her jaw clenched and her posture was stiff as she held me near her. She didn’t look to the queen when she replied. Instead, her gaze held steady with Sorin’s. Her face paled and her hand shook in mine. “We will be here for whatever you need.”