Ember Frost’s POV
"Sorry, Miss, he's not here. He took some time off and went home."
"He took leave?" I blinked in surprise.
"Yes, Miss. The guards at the checkpoint said Sir Orion should be back later this afternoon."
"I see. Thank you."
The moment I heard Orion wasn’t in barracks, all the confidence I had built up started to crumble.
“Don’t you dare back out now!” Juniper snapped sharply in my head. “I mean it—you’re not allowed to retreat!”
“But you heard him,” I argued weakly. “He’s not even here. What do you expect me to do?”
“Then go to his house!” she shot back. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten where Duke George’s mansion is.”
“Do we really have to go that far?” I groaned.
"Of course, sweetheart! Let’s get one thing straight, little princess — this isn’t just some silly fig
