Rafael had heard the commotion a little too late. By the time the first portion of the palace collapsed, he was already a good distance away, sent by his father to do his bidding. The second collapse happened when Rafael was already on the palace grounds, but he still wasn't quick enough.
Dread flooded his veins when he felt the rush of panic through his ring, followed by a slow and steady stream of weakness. His body felt fine in itself, but his left hand, where his wedding ring was, felt so much weaker that there could only be one explanation for it.
Soleia.
His face quickly turned ashen as he rushed into the palace despite the stream of servants running in the opposite direction for their lives.
