Coral had been listening from the corridor.
She had come looking for her father, intending to persuade him to speak to Queen Rose about lifting the restrictions placed on her and Belle. Instead, she had heard the entire conversation.
Jasmine was near the eastern forest.
She had been traveling with a child and another woman.
And three riders might have been following them.
Coral stepped away from the door before anyone could discover her presence.
Her heart was racing.
She had never expected Jasmine's disappearance to become such a serious matter. At first, she had assumed the girl had run away out of spite. She had believed that Jasmine would eventually return, begging for forgiveness or asking for help.
But now the royal guards were searching entire villages, and Queen Rose seemed prepared to turn the kingdom upside down to find her.
Coral entered her chambers and shut the door.
Belle was sitting by the window, brushing her hair.
"Where have you been?" Belle asked.
