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“He’s come unhinged, that’s what’s wrong,” the king blustered, waving out a hand. “I guess he’s woken in a foul mood, or with a sour stomach, or something, because reports keep coming in from soldier after soldier that he’s on a violent warpath. He’s already hurt four men on the training field this morning, breaking two arms, slicing one too deeply with his sword, and flat-out knocking the fourth unconscious. Then, after I had him dismissed from training for the day, I got a report that he’d made a maid cry when he threw a pitcher
of ale across a room, shattering it. I can’t keep getting interrupted with this nonsense just because the man’s in a temper. Something must be done before he actually kills someone.”
I blinked, my mind spinning with ways to sneak to Urban without anyone finding out and discovering what was wrong with him, when I noticed the king was sending me an expectant look.
“Well?” he demanded.
I jumped and squeaked, “Wait, you want me to attend to this issue?”
Oh, thank God.
The king narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t call anyone else in here about the matter, now did I?”
“No, but… But I thought you didn’t want me near him. You’ve threatened his life and my time with my own daughter to ensure such a thing.”
“Well, I’m setting that decree aside until you’ve settled this matter.”
Relief bloomed inside me even as I asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Caulder flailed his hands in frustration. “Reason with him. Talk to him. I don’t know! I don’t care. I just know his temper is out of control, and you’re supposed to be his one true love, so you should be able to calm him down if anyone could.”
“So, I can—”
“I have spoken, Vienne. Now go save all of us from his wrath. Instantly!”
Well, who could ignore an order like that from a king?
“You there.” He jabbed his finger toward a nearby maid. “Have someone take care of Lady Vienne’s child for her until she’s accomplished her duties.”
Since I couldn’t rightly argue with Caulder, I helplessly handed Anniston over, and asked, “Does anyone know where the prince even is?”
“I do, my lady.” A guard at the door stepped forward. When I met his gaze, I noticed the man had a fresh black eye. I winced, hoping that hadn’t come to him courtesy of Urban.
“Good then.” Caulder waved his hand, dismissing us. “Follow him, and get this settled as soon as possible, if you please.”
I followed the guard into the hall.
“He was prowling around the Blue Chambers last I saw him,” the guard informed me discreetly.
I nodded. “Did he give you the bruise?”
The man cleared his throat and blushed slightly. “I got too close.”
Gulping bleakly, I bobbed my head again. “So, I should keep a good distance from him, then?”
The guard shrugged. “Except he’s started throwing things.”
“Lovely.” With only a vague, intimidating idea of what I was getting myself into but determined to see Urban and find out what was bothering him, I followed the guard down the hall toward the Blue Chambers. As we neared the entrance, a breaking sound preceded a ripe curse before Urban exploded through the doorway and started stalking down the hall away from me.
I knew he knew I was there, even though he didn’t even glance in my direction. He always knew when I was close; his mark told him so.
Alarmed that he purposely hadn’t even looked at me and was storming away from me, maybe even leaving because I was approaching, I said, “Urban?”
The muscles in his back tensed as he slowed to a stop, but he didn’t turn around.
When he said nothing, I realized I was going to have to do all the work. “I need to speak with you, if you please.”
“Not now,” he growled.
