Prisoner by Megan Derr

thought. But Iah was not accounted for, and no one knows where he is. By all reports, he was there when the battle started—"
    Her mind began to race as she processed the words. Iah wouldn't abandon his men, nor would he back out of a battle. So unless something else was afoot, he'd been in the fight. Which meant he'd gone missing after, but there was no way to know what had really happened.
    Missing. Iah was missing and possibly dead. Or worse. Oh, Goddess—if that were the only other option, she would almost rather he be dead. She needed more facts. "Who—who were they fighting?"
    "Krians—the Scarlet."
    If her eyes had not already been closed, she would have closed them then. Of course they'd been fighting the Scarlet. "Why did they Scream?"
    "We don't know," Matthias said. "The report came from a scout sent to search when Iah's troop did not report at the border checkpoint as expected. He found them all dead and a great many Krians with them, but no sign of the Wolf who leads them."
    That was strange. Esta's nails dug into Mathias's hand. "Do you think…?"
    "I doubt it. Whatever happened, I do not think Iah is with the general. Don't worry, Essie. I'll keep pressing for information."
    Esta nodded. "Thank you for coming to tell me."
    "Will you be all right?"
    "Yes," Esta said and let him kiss her cheek. "Of course I will."
    Matthias frowned at her. "You'll fret all night—or dance yourself sick to avoid fretting."
    "Don't go all mother on me. Iah went off to war. I knew this was a possibility." Esta nodded, mostly to herself. "And he's not dead, right? So there's no reason to worry—"
    "Why don't you just take the night to rest? I'll make your excuses, if you like—"
    Esta pulled her hand away and flicked his nose with her fingers. "You most certainly will not! Do I look like a milkmaid, to hide away crying in my room? Get going right this instant so I can finish getting ready."
    "Yes, ma'am." Matthias kissed her cheek and slowly limped from the room.
    "My lady?" Trul asked as she darted back inside. She immediately set to getting Esta ready, but her movements were automatic. "Is something wrong?"
    "My brother is missing," Esta replied. She worried her lower lip.
    His grace is missing?" Trul drew a sharp breath and dropped the hairpins she'd been holding.
    "He's not a Duke anymore," Esta corrected automatically. "He surrendered the title, remember?" She sighed and ignored Trul's questions as memories stole her attention.
    The fight between her brother and father was so fresh in her mind it still seemed as though it had happened only yesterday. Even now her father refused to leave their country estate, unable to bear that both his children had followed in their mother's footsteps: Duty over all else.
    Rescinded by both men, the title had passed to her. Esta didn't want it either, but it only made sense for her to have it. Not once had she ever doubted Iah knew that, though they'd never discussed it.
    Esta closed her eyes to ward off tears. Would he come home? Safe and whole?
    What's wrong, Monkey?
    Everything, Esta thought.
    You're being a silly Monkey. Come on, let's go into town. I'll play a song, and you can dance like a good little Monkey—then you'll be happy, I'll be rich and all will be well!
    Esta smiled, and opened her eyes. "Trul, do I have any of the lavender perfume left?"
    Trul snorted. "I wasn't aware, my lady, that you ever let it run out."
    "Shush and fetch it."
    You smell pretty, mama.
    Come close, Essie, and mama will make you smell pretty too and then papa can admire both his ladies. How do you like that?
    "Here you are, my lady." Trul dabbed the perfume on her, then began on the jewelry: the gold and silver necklace, a matching bracelet on her left wrist, a black ribbon for the war on her right, and a small tiara set on her head.
    The gold and silver shone, the last perfect touch to her dress. Esta touched the necklace.
    Iah, what's that?
    This? I found it one day. After a battle.
    You mean you