I closed my eyes, finding comfort in the Phoenix's warmth. Even though the phoenix was too weak to stand or move much at all, it was still able to give off a comforting warmth that contrasted the cold and damp dungeon. There were moments when I wondered if it was doing that for my sake. If so, I wished I could do something in return. 
                          
As I leaned against the cell baes, a few tears slipped down my cheeks and thoughts of the people I loved appeared in my mind. I held on to the memories we shared and the comfort I felt whenever I was around them, using those feelings to heal my aching wounds. 
                          
No matter what, I was going to make it out of here, for them. 
                          
For him. 
                          
Prince Philip POV
                          
"Prince Philip," Ryland shouted, grabbing my now bloody fist that I had just used to punch a hole in the wall of my study. 
                          
"I know you're angry, but you need to keep it together." Ryland said, unable to hide the pain in his voice. 
                          
"You're right," I agreed, dropping my hand and looking out the window. 
                          
"I need to keep it together, for her." 
                          
Callista had been missing for two and a half weeks and we still had no leads as to where she was. Even though Elaine managed to capture one of the men who worked to kidnap her, he had killed himself the minute he regained consciousness. The only thing we were able to find out about that man was that he had been stripped of his title after he was caught dealing with human traffickers. 
                          
"Now why would you go and do something like that?" Connor Walters asked as he entered the room with a small medical kit. The doctor had helped both Callista and I on many occasions and had earned my trust. Though I didn't like the idea that I was taking him from helping my people, Ryland and my attendants insisted that I surround myself with only the most trustworthy allies. Multiple assassins had been arrested within the past few weeks, and though I was used to attempts on my life, the attacks had never been so frequent. 
                          
"I-" I didn't finish my sentence, knowing that there was nothing that could excuse my actions. 
                          
"I was just teasing you kid, don't look so upset or you're gonna make me feel bad." Connor said, ruffling my hair. Even though I was just as tall as him he still treated me like kid. That's what I liked about him. Other than Uncle Alex, he was one of the few adults who treated me like a teenager. 
                          
"Thanks Connor," I smiled, standing up after he finished bandaging my fist. 
                          
"Hey, wait a minute I'm not finished with you yet. Seriously, all you kids are a mess right now." Connor complained, running a hand through his hair. 
                          
"Lily just came back from visiting Elaine after she passed out from exhaustion after staying awake for three days straight. Neither Elaine or Caiden have returned to the estate since Callista disappeared, and the rest of you look like you're about to collapse any second now." Connor scolded, giving both Ryland and I a look. 
                          
"I understand that you are worried about Callista, but you need to take care of yourselves. Even though I'm just a doctor, I know enough to be aware of the fact that our Kingdom is facing many dangers right now. And, as your doctor, I can tell you that there is no way you will be able to face any of them if you aren't even able to walk straight." 
                          
Connor was right, the Cynth civil war was only getting worse, making the risk of an even greater war that much more likely. Zemrya had already mobilized it's boarder while Sarchia was preparing to send a fleet of ships to Cynth. Cynth's boarder rested on the northwest side of our kingdom, Zemrya's on the south, and Sarchia to our North East. If a war broke out, Findara would be at the center of it.