Elaine felt Marcus grab her wrist. His touch was gentle, but she sensed the urgency in it.
“This way. Quickly.”
His voice was low and tense. He pulled her deeper into the rose garden, far from the fountain and the main paths where servants usually walked. Her heart slammed hard against her ribs as she followed him. Her steps were fast, light, and shaky on the stone path.
Marcus moved with purpose. She had never seen him this serious. His jaw was tight, and his eyes scanned everything like he expected danger to jump out at any moment.
He led her to the far corner of the garden. Here, the roses grew wild. Their branches twisted over each other, thick with thorns. The air smelled of earth and old petals.
Marcus pushed aside a curtain of heavy vines. Behind them was a small wooden door. I
