“Where are my children, Maekar?” Your voice came out low and dangerous, vibrating with a drama that at another time might have seemed excessive to me, but today froze his blood.

“Please, let’s go inside…” he tried to say, extending a hand toward you.

“Don’t ask me to stay calm!” you cut him off, stepping forward and ignoring the nobles watching them. “I warned you Daeron wasn’t ready. I begged you not to leave Egg without supervision. And now they tell me they don’t know where they are.”

He remained still, absorbing the impact of your words. His pride urged him to respond with the same harshness, to remind you that he was the Prince of Summerhall, but in front of you he was only a man who had failed you. He knew your anger was justified, and seeing your eyes wet with anguish made him want to destroy all of Ashford.

“I’ve sent every man available,” he said, lowering his voice so only you could hear.

“If anything happens to them because of your negligence, Maekar…” You stepped so close he could feel the heat of your fury against him.

“I will bring them back.”