"LIOR!"
Ezra's voice tore through the corridor as he ran, boots striking stone hard enough to sting. Sweat beaded along his hairline, breath coming faster no matter how much he tried to control it.
'Please,' he begged silently.
"LIOR, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
He didn't care how it sounded. He didn't care who heard him.
Nobles, servants, guards, let them stare.
Let them whisper. None of that mattered.
And it wasn't like they would know the truth.
'Please, Aurethys,' he prayed desperately. 'Please let him be safe.'
They were still within the inner palace grounds. In theory, that should have meant safety.
Most of the people here were staff, attendants, and officials.
Not monsters.
But Ezra had learned long ago that safety was an illusion.
Someone could have mistaken Lior for a wandering child. Taken him somewhere "safe." Tried to restrain him when he panicked.
And Lior would panic.
