Fidelis stood on his balcony, glaring at the view. Despite everyone's efforts over the last three days, no one had heard or seen Sera. He was sure she wasn't dead. His mark would have changed colors and turned into a scar if she had died. That was a small relief. Now, if they could only get in touch with her….
"Your Highness, here are the latest reports from Liz's pack," Sodalitas informed him as he joined Fidelis on the balcony.
Fidelis turned to glance at his friend. He took the papers from his hands and skimmed over them. He clutched the papers tightly and silently cursed. Liz's efforts had resulted in a dead end.
"Sera, where are you?" he murmured. This was maddening. He had to find her.
"Maybe she did go on vacation," said Sodalitas, though his tone was unconvincing.
"Ha! As if. She would have texted me a hundred times or more telling me about her day, the sights, and so much more if she were fine."
Sodalitas sighed and bowed his head, acknowledging the truth of Fidelis's words.
"I should call the High Priest. Maybe it's time for some divine intervention." Fidelis crumpled the papers in his hand and went back inside.
Sodalitas silently followed him. Fidelis saw Blainel by the door and gave him a tired smile. His guards and best friends were amazing. They had tirelessly worked with Liz and their men to try to find Sera. He would have to reward them later.
He threw the reports in the trash. He was going to try and call Sera again. He reached for his cell and jerked his hand back when Sera's ringtone filled the air. He happily shouted, "Sera!"
"No, this isn't Sera. I'm her friend, Lael."
Fidelis cursed. He recognized this voice. He had talked to this person once before.
"I'm calling because I'm out of things to try."
"What do you mean?" he demanded, not liking her tone of despair. Was Sera badly hurt? He was going to kill her father and sister.
"She's been unconscious for over a week now. I'm hoping that if she hears your voice, she'll wake up."
Fidelis's surprised hiss gave voice to his anger. He heard silence from Lael and forced himself to calm down. Sera needed him.
"Put me on speakerphone."
"Gladly."
He waited tensely for the go-ahead to speak.
"You can talk now. The phone is beside her."
"Sera, beautiful, I need you to please open your eyes and talk to me. I've been worried sick about you. I need to know that you're alright," Romeo pleaded.
Nothing happened at first, and Fidelis almost cried. Was he going to lose her?
"Sera, please, my heart aches so much because I miss you. Please say something," begged Fidelis. He caressed his fated mark and sent a pulse of his desire for her to wake up through it.
"Romeo, she opened her eyes!" Lael shouted.
Fidelis staggered and grabbed the edge of his bedside table. Sera was awake?
"Really? She opened them? Why didn't she speak?" he demanded.
"I don't know! I'm just glad she opened her eyes." Lael paused and continued, "Thank you for speaking to her. Once she wakes up, I'll make sure she calls you."
"Wait," Fidelis said, but Lael disconnected the call. "What the hell!"
"Your Highness?" Sodalitas's calm voice brought him back to himself.
"She's alive! And she woke up."
"I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, but you didn't hear her speak," Blainel pointed out.
Fidelis nodded. "You're right. Let me call back." He redialed Sera's number, but after a few rings it went to voicemail.
He frowned. Was Lael in cahoots with Sera's family? Was he being played? He growled his frustration, put his phone down, and caressed his mark. He closed his eyes and reached through the bond and gently tapped Sera. He felt a sluggish response. It was still a response. More than anything, he'd gotten over a week of frantic searching.
He would wait a few hours and then call again. This time, he wasn't going to allow Lael to hang up.