CHAPTER EIGHT

Lundin

With some help from the palace, I was able to track down Amber’s phone, but it took longer than I imagined to find her as crowds pushed against my bodyguards. I kept glancing at my phone, the little red dot heading my way had stopped a few moments ago. I picked up my pace as someone screamed about the elven plague.

“Amber!” I called out, and I heard Idris to my left. I ran over and found them crouched in a small alleyway. “Are you okay?” I asked as Wardetto hugged my leg.

“Yes, just out of breath.” Her eyes were wide as she clung to Idris, placing kisses on the top of her daughter’s head every few moments.

“Come on. Let’s get you guys out of here.” I pulled Amber to her feet. “Who do you want me to carry?” I glanced between the two children. Idris was a little bigger, but she was clinging onto that child for dear life. I wanted to ask what happened, but I pushed it aside. Getting them to safety was top priority.

“Idris you’re a bit heavier than your brother. Can you go with the Prince?” She looked down at the little girl. Idris nodded against her mother then shuffled my way. I scooped her up and pinned her to my chest. “I don’t have a car.” She bit her lower lip as she lifted her son into her arms.

“You should know by now that I have one for us.” I leaned in closer and rubbed my thumb over her cheek. A few tears had spilled from her eyes, and I hope I wasn’t the cause of her pain. Dustin took the lead and Todd nodded and stayed close to Amber.

I kept rubbing my fingers over Idris’s back as she grabbed at my jacket.

“You’re safe,” I muttered to her a few times and kept my quick pace. Seeing Amber crouched down with her children chipped at my soul.

“So, you really like Mommy?” Idris asked, pulling a smile to my lips. With the massive crowd of people trying to flee, there was no way Amber could hear what her daughter had said to me.

“I do actually.” Admitting it even to Idris settled something deep inside me. Part of me wanted to explore it, to flesh it out, but I needed to focus on getting everyone to safety first.

They rounded the corner, and a cop was parked next to his car.

“Your Grace.” One of the cops lowered their head when they looked at me.

“Get in the car.” I waved Amber ahead of me and she listened, sliding in with the help of Todd. “What happened here?”

“Information is a little sporadic.” He bounced on his toes, nervous tension rolling off his body.

“The King will want a full fucking report in the hour. You better let your commander know.” Hell, I wanted all the fucking details but I was just glad Amber and her children were now safe with me.

“We heard from the palace a few moments ago. Does the woman know anything?” He motioned toward the car as Amber stepped out and walked up to grab Idris from my grasp.

“A couple were seeing a doctor when a fight between the doc and the husband broke out.” Amber adjusted Idris in her arms. “Someone in the crowd asked what the poor woman had, and the doc mentioned EPM, or the elven plague.” Without another word, Amber turned and walked to the car, sliding in with her other child.

“Fuck. Right before Christmas.” The cop cursed some more as Todd leaned closer.

“We need to get back.” Todd’s eyes were a little wider than normal.

“Make sure the woman is actually sick with the elven plague before we freak out.” I strolled over before I got into the car and scanned the area. So much panic had erupted due to one doctor and one woman. The last time the elven plague had struck it had killed many of the people. How could it suddenly come back?

I took my place in the car and Dustin steered the car away carefully.

“Just take us home. We have enough food thanks to you to get us through the panic.”

“Not a fucking chance.” I spoke through my teeth. I wasn’t letting them out of my sight. Some of the radical elven population had blamed humans for the last wave and I wasn’t going to put Amber in harm’s way if the fucking dumbasses got any cute ideas.

“Excuse me?” She arched her brow.

“Palace Dustin,” I ordered, and Dustin nodded. “Who’s securing Amelia?”

“David ordered Zar and Keith to her house when we left to find Amber.” Dustin glanced back and I nodded.

“Prince Lundin, I think my house will be safe enough.” Amber tried again but I shook my head.

“I’m not letting you three out of my sight until the panic has settled.” Maybe not even then if I had it my way. I wanted them to stay in my home forever already. I couldn’t explain the unnatural pull to Amber, but I wasn’t going to second guess it.

The car slid past the gates on the east side because the north was flooded with a crowd. They were secure in the palace gates. Nothing could get to them now.