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does it say?”
    “Guards!” Erick shouted. He turned around and barreled toward the palace entrance.

     
     
     

Chapter 6. W arning
     
    Emmeline’s heart dropped and, as if the horrible truth would remain hidden as long as she stood still, her feet rooted to the palace floor. But no matter how terrible the news, she had to know what the letter said. She had to face it. Taking a deep breath, she picked up her feet and chased after Erick.
    “ A messenger just left on horseback,” Erick shouted at the guards as they clattered around the corner. “Bring him to me!”
    “Erick?” Emmeline said once she caught up to him.
    Erick f umbled with the letter before stuffing it into his coat pocket. “I’ll be in the drawing room,” he said to one of the guards stationed at the entrance.
    “Erick, what d oes the letter say?”
    Erick gathered her into his arms and held her tighter than he’d ever held her before. After a long moment, he stepped back and took her hand. “Here, I’ll take you to your room.”
    “ Why won’t you tell me?”
    “It’s nothing ,” Erick said. His voice had lost most of the urgency from before, but Emmeline knew that meant little. Erick was skilled at hiding his unease.
    “Nothing? Why did you call for the guards?”
    Erick pulled her into the drawing room and closed the door. “It surprised me, that’s all.” He swallowed. “I expected other news from Volarcus. But this is nothing, just boring matters of state.”
    “ And these boring matters have you yelling for the guards? What aren’t you telling me?”
    “It won’t help matters for you to know.”
    Emmeline bristled. “If we are to rule Dolmerti together, you have to let me help you. You can’t keep shouldering everything on your own.”
    “I can take care of this.”
    “And I can help.” She held out her hand. “Can I read the letter?”
    Eri ck ran a hand through his hair.
    “ I have no qualms against digging into your coat pockets to get it,” she said.
    Erick gave her an uneasy smile and paced to the other side of the room, his hands gripping the lapel of his coat. His eyes cleared and his jaw hardened. “It’ll be fine. Nothing is going happen. It’ll be fine.”
    “Who are you reassuring? I’m the only one in this room and I don’t even know what is in the letter.”
    “Please, Emmeline. It will only frighten you and there is nothing to worry about. Trust me.”
    “ You have to trust me as well. It sounds as if I have a right to know the contents of that letter.”
    Erick hesitated before slipping his hand into his coat pocket. He paused and then his face twisted into a grimace as he held out the crumpled letter.
    “Don’t be afraid,” he said.
    Emmeline nodded and took hold of the letter. She met his gaze and a spasm of fear shot through her. What was he so afraid of? Breaking his gaze, she lowered her eyes.
    Crown Prince Richard Frederick of Dolmerti,
    In one month’s time an army coming by way of Volarcus will beat at your doors. You have something I wish to acquire. Do not try to hide her. I know who she is and how to find her. If she does not go willingly, there will be bloodshed. I’m well aware of your army’s reputation and strength; however, I am prepared to bring it to its knees. I will stop at nothing until I control her. The sooner you realize she will be mine, the better off your people will fare. If you want to spare the lives of your people and of your soldiers, I suggest you prepare her for departure. You have one month.
    The letter was unsigned.
    Emmeline’s breath whooshed out of her and then stopped altogether. The handwriting blurred as the paper shook in her hands. It was time. The worst had come. Just like her mother, an army was on its way to take her away. Her mother’s response had been extreme, but necessary. Emmeline had hoped she would never have to follow in her mother’s footsteps, but the letter told her what she had feared since that afternoon. She might have no