AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I cracked a smile, she snorted out a quick laugh, and before we knew it, we were both full-on grinning at each other.
“What is so funny?” Soren demanded, breaking into our moment.
When we turned his way, the king lifted his hand again, calling for silence so he could speak.
“Prince Urban,” he bit out, his voice hard and stern. “I called you into this room to question you, and I believe you’re the only one here who hasn’t spoken about your actions tonight. So… What do you have to say about this situation?”
“I’ve no idea, Your Majesty.” Letting out a small, self-depreciating laugh, I shook my head, feeling defeated, even as I lifted my arms to show him I had nothing to hide. “What would you have me say?”
He narrowed his eyes, clearly not amused. “I’d have you tell me you have no designs upon my sister-in-law, upon my cousin’s wife.”
“Designs?” I tilted my head to the side as I repeated the curious term.
He made it sound as if I was ruthlessly pursuing her for my own selfish gain, as if I wanted to exploit her miserable, arranged union with the jackass in front of me and take advantage of her.
“Designs,” I repeated yet again, my voice growing harsher.
Allera was the only one who sensed I was about to blow. Eyes widening, she reached for my arm, hissing, “Urban,” in a cautionary voice.
But I was past caution.
Shrugging her off, I stepped toward the king sitting so pompously on his throne. His brother and cousin both stepped forward, trying to come between us, but I shoved them out of my way. Guards who’d been positioned against the walls, rushed closer, but my glare set them back on their heels. Nothing was going to stop me until I said what I needed to say.
“You think this is some kind of game to me?” I growled, pointing at Caulder until his eyes bulged with worry and he darted fearful glances to the others around us, silently pleading for help. “You think I kept my silence to trick you? That I stayed away and avoided all contact with her for weeks because it was somehow pleasurable for me? Well, let me tell you something, little king. I have died every fucking day because I couldn’t say anything about this, because I couldn’t do anything about this damn need that feels as if it’s ripping my insides apart. So, no, I have no designs on her. If I did, I would’ve stolen her away that first night. Or hell, I would’ve slit her miserable husband’s throat while he slept so I could have her for myself.” I cast Soren a deadly glare before sneering, “You would’ve been dead before the first drop of blood hit the floor. And I wouldn’t have regretted a single second of it.”
Turning back, I explained, “But I refrained. For her. I kept my distance because I knew she would prefer that. I kept my silence as not to distress her while she was pregnant. I sweated and toiled, training your soldiers every day so her kingdom could be better protected. I did absolutely every honorable and loyal action in regards to her and her people, and yet you have the audacity to sit there and look me straight in the eye, accusing me of betrayal? Well, fuck you.”
Panting, I took a step back before casting a glare to everyone else around me. “Fuck all of you.”
Whirling around, I stormed toward the exit.
“Urban!” Allera called after me, her voice panicked and high. “What’re you doing? Where are you going?”
“I don’t know,” I growled. “Don’t follow me.”
“No!” She hurried after me, clutching my arms. Tears appeared in her eyes. “You can’t leave me. Don’t go.”
“God…dammit,” I roared, making her yelp and jump away from me. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m just taking a fucking walk. I need to clear my head.”
“Guards,” Caulder said in a bored tone. “Stop him.”
Just as I reached the exit, the two guards who’d shied from me before crossed their pikes together, barring my path. I glanced at them, but the anger that had fueled me into having my tirade had drained, so I merely sighed over their interference and turned back toward the king, sending him a jaded stare.
“What?” I muttered.
“I wish to speak to the prince alone,” the king announced, his gaze pointedly roving over Soren, Brentley, and Allera. “With no interference from you three.”
“But—” Soren started, only for Caulder to snarl, “Go! Now.” His gaze slid over Allera and landed on Brentley. “All of you.”
Brentley rushed to clasp Allera’s arm and urge her toward the exit. She cast a worried glance my way, but I nodded to her, trying to give her a measure of reassurance. Except that only seemed to upset her more. Tears filled her eyes and she mouthed my name before she was tugged completely from the room.
“Now,” Caulder started once it was only me and him and a handful of his personal guards.
Before he could deliver his final verdict, however, a small voice spoke from a different entrance to our right.
“Caulder?” it queried hesitantly.
Chapter 17
