Page 119 of Betrayal and Vows

Not Anton.

Not Dmitri.

Where is he?

Two of Vadim's guards appear at the end of the hallway. They look at me like I'm a wild animal that's escaped its cage.

"Where is he?" I demand, marching toward them in my wedding gown. "Where's Anton?"

They exchange glances.

"Ma'am, you should return to your guests?—"

"WHERE IS HE?" My voice cracks, echoing off the walls.

"We don't know who you mean."

Liars. They're all fucking liars.

I spin around and head for the main staircase. My dress is so heavy I can barely lift it, but I don't stop. I check every room, ignoring the ballroom where the guests are waiting for me to make my journey down the aisle.

I know he’s not in there.

I go to the kitchen. Staff members scatter like startled birds as I barrel through in my white gown, calling his name.

"Anton! ANTON!"

Nothing. He's nowhere.

I burst through the doors that lead to the garden, my white heels sinking into the soft earth. The white fabric drags through the dirt, staining the hem brown, but I don't care. I run toward our spot, the place where he first kissed me.

Empty.

The chapel. Maybe he went to the chapel, to our place.

I gather the heavy skirts and run, ignoring the looks of confusion from the guests milling about.

He’s not there.

No one is.

I return to the house and find another guard. One I’ve seen speaking with Dmitri before.

“Where is Dmitri?” I ask.

The man shrugs. “Haven’t seen him.”

That’s not possible. Dmitri wouldn’t miss this. He’s Anton’s shadow.

Something is wrong.

Panic chews at the edges of my stomach. The fear is threatening to take me down. A little voice in the back of my mind says Mikhail killed them both and fed them to the dogs.

Mom appears behind me as I wander the upstairs corridor again. “You’re going to sweat through your bodice at this rate,” she says, fanning me with her hand. “Calm down.”

I whirl toward her. “Have you seen him?”

“Who?”