SHADOWS BETWEEN US

Prince George’s Point of view

The corridors of the palace blurred into streaks of shadow and torchlight as Victoria and I raced toward the courtyard. The guard’s words still rang in my ears—Sindy… hurt. My chest was tight, lungs burning, but the urgency in my legs did not falter. She had to be alive. She had to be. I need her alive .

For the first time in weeks, I had felt like I was not alone in this fight. When Victoria had that Sindy was hurt she stood by me . She had not hesitated, had not asked what was in it for her. She simply said, Let’s go, and now we are on our way to together to see Sindy .

Her skirt swept the floor as she ran beside me, the flicker of the wall sconces catching in her hair. Neither of us spoke; there was no need. We both knew the stakes.

But just as we reached the last turn before the courtyard, a tall, broad shadow slid into our path.

“Uncle,” I hissed, coming to an abrupt stop.

The Acting King stood like an unmovable pillar, hands clasped behind his b