Page 40 of Dragon King’s Bullied Mate

“But they said the king almost died.” His voice lowered nervously. “And they said his soldiers were looking for you.”

Her stomach tightened painfully. “That’s true. There was a misunderstanding about how the king got hurt.”

Beckett hesitated and then his expression changed in a way that instantly filled her with dread. “And…” His fingers tightened in her coat. “They said he’s been asking about me again.”

Lovisa sat down on the sofa. “A lot can be heard up here when people talk down in the shop. I tried to protect him from gossip, but…”

“You have nothing to apologize for.” Lyra slowly lifted her gaze toward Sherrell. “We really need to be sure he doesn’t find Beckett.” Somehow not saying his name made it less scary.

Sherrell exhaled heavily before stepping closer. “I didn’t want to discuss it in front of him earlier.” Her eyes softened sadly. “But I warned you about this a week ago.”

Now horror began settling into place piece by piece.

Sherrell nodded grimly. “Boden’s been asking questions in nearby villages. Offering money. Giving descriptions. He’s looking for a child about Beckett’s age.”

Beckett pressed closer immediately at the unfamiliar name.

Lyra’s heartbeat thundered painfully now because suddenly everything felt far larger and far more dangerous than accusations or old resentment from people like Dag.

A threat was actively searching for Beckett. Not out of curiosity, but hunting. And if Boden truly discovered where Beckett was, the threat would explode.

Lyra’s stomach turned violently. “He can’t find him.”

“He won’t,” Sherrell said firmly, though concern still shadowed her voice.

But Lyra was no longer certain of anything. Not after everything that had happened. Fear crawled steadily higher through her chest as possibilities multiplied because if Boden had been searching nearby when the royal guards took her away, Beckett would not have been safe with the confectioner.

“We need to go home,” Lyra said quietly at last.

Sherrell frowned immediately. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“No,” Lyra admitted honestly. “But it’s the only place I can think of where no one else knows to look.”

The cottage sat beyond the village boundaries and was hidden deep within the forested slopes where even most locals rarely traveled during winter. Supplies had to be hauled in carefully, paths disappeared beneath snowstorms, and visitors almost never came unless invited directly.

For years the isolation had protected her. She could only pray it still would.

Sherrell hugged her. “I’m going to head back to my office and see if there’s anything I can do on my end.”

They thanked Lovisa and parted ways with Sherrell. The trip home passed beneath heavy silence while Beckett remained against her side with one small hand clutching her sleeve as though afraid she might vanish again if he let go.

Once safely back in the cottage, Lyra watched snow whip past the windows while she drank a hot mug of coffee. The familiar warmth of the little home should have comforted her. Instead it suddenly felt frighteningly fragile.

After Beckett finally fell asleep tucked beneath layers of quilts, Lyra remained awake long after midnight. She moved quietly through the cottage with growing urgency tightening every movement.

She packed emergency go-bags first that included blankets, dried food, medicine, and extra clothing, along with money hidden in secret pockets. Enough to keep them going but still light enough to carry while moving fast.

She mapped escape routes again in her head while she packed. She knew all the forest paths, river crossings, and mountain caves. All the places no one else would think to search during winter, especially a stranger to the area.

She fought hard against the fear that carried the name Boden and tried to focus on the anger. She also wondered about Mikael.

Had he come to the village to help her look?

And somewhere beneath all of it lingered the terrifying certainty that whatever storm was closing around them had only just begun.

Chapter 17

Mikael