King Henry

I push through the throne room doors and catch my breath. I feel like I was in there for hours answering questions but all I wanted to do was see Serena.

I look around, hoping she is out here somewhere. Pulling my hair, I groan. I wish I could have prevented this. I knew she didn't want attention. Why did I ask her to dance?

I see Clarke tapping his leg on the ground as he sits in a bench across the hall.

"Hey, have you seen Serena?" I ask, rushing over to him.

"No," he shakes his head. "Victoria ditched me to go hang out with her."

I roll my eyes. "I am not going to take pity on you, Clarke. Victoria didn't ditch you to be with Serena. She left you to make sure she is okay. I'm sure she told you that." I explain.

"I believed that at first. She even told me she would be right back. But, it's been almost an hour since I have heard from her." He shrugs.

"It has been that long already?" I ask. Time really got away from me in there.

Clarke nods. "I know I shouldn't have- that I should let her be her own person -but something doesn't feel right so- so I sent guards to find her. They have come back several times to say they were still looking for her."

I shake my head. "I am sure nothing is wrong. Victoria is-" I laugh. "Victoria is extremely skilled at hiding from the guards. I am convinced my mother taught her how to evade capture from them." I try to help ease his mind. "That is something you will learn about Victoria. If she doesn't want to be found, she won't be." I wipe my face. "She probably took Serena for a ride on her horse. Come on. Come with me. Let's go check the stables."

The two of us walk down to the stables to find our girls.

I look around the stables, finding nothing out of the ordinary. "Buttercups's pen is right over here. I'm sure we will find their heels over here somewhere. They can't ride in their heels." I run through the hay to the stall. "Oh god." I cover my mouth, seeing the dead horse on the floor of the stall.

Clarke runs up beside me. "I'm guessing this isn't what you expected to see back here." He shakes his head. "This is not good."

"This- this is Victoria's horse. Was-was Victoria's horse. Everyone knows how important she is to Victoria. She-" I scoff, unsure of what this means. "Someone did this to hurt her. Friendly people don't kill your favorite horse."

I turn to Clarke. "What does this mean?" He asks.

"Alert the guards." I press my palms together, trying to keep calm.

"A-alert them of what? The dead horse? You have to explain this to me, Henry. I don't know as much as you do." Clarke begs.

"I think Victoria has been kidnapped. I'd be stupid to think Serena isn't with her too." I stare at Clarke.

Clarke runs out of the stables, shouting for help. I turn around and pace the floor.

This is bad. This is very bad.

Well duh. If that wasn't obvious already.

I smack myself in the forehead. This is my fault. How could I let this happen? I know our position puts us at greater risk for attacks. I should have had guards watching over my sister and Serena.

I should have known better.

Victoria is the master at hide and seek. I can only hope she was able to keep hidden from whoever it is that did this.

*
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