Chapter 50. Lucien’s Death?

The warmth of the morning sun did little to stop the knot that was beginning to get twisted in his gut. He glanced up, his eyes narrowed as he limped through the snow--covered trail towards the cottage.

His mind was focused on one thing alone, Aria.

“She should be up by now,” he thought. “She would probably still be in bed or making some sort of herbal brew from her herb bags.”

He smiled as he imagined the sight. She was probably humming under her breath, something he had caught her doing lately.

He walked up to the courtyard of the cottage and stopped. He shifted slightly, his grip on his cane grew tighter as he stared at the closed door to their home.

A deep feeling of unease blossomed within him. Something was wrong,

He couldn’t feel her.

Lucien froze, his eyes widened as he began moving fast.

He forgot about evenly placing his weight, he pushed through the pain as he rushed to the door and pushed it open.

It was empty.