He shrugged, giving nothing away.
“What kind ofbullis that? And I’m sure you’ve spent enough time in my realm to know what part ofbullI’ve left unsaid,” I snapped, losing the bit of calm that remained in me. The prince was so well-spoken that I felt crass talking like this, but whatever. He could bite me if he didn’t like it.
Instead of offended, he appeared amused, judging by the smile he seemed to be fighting.
“My distress amuses you? Is that it?”
He put on a serious expression. “No. Not in the least.”
“Then why do you look like the cat that gobbled up the canary?”
“For no reason.”
“Bullshit.” I let him have the whole damn word.
“Ms. Sunder, forgive me. I don’t wish to upset you.”
“Stop calling me Ms. Sunder. It makes me think you’re talking about my mother.”
“It is the only thing you’ve allowed me to call you.”
“I know, but I…”Dammit. My anger had gotten the best of me. Now what? I threw my hands up in the air. “You can call me whatever you want. I don’t care.”
He rose from the bench and stood directly in front of me. “Then I shall call you Daniella.” He pronounced every syllable as if savoring them. “It’s a beautiful name.”
Damn all the witchlights if his raspy voice and the way he was looking at me as he said my full name didn’t send a thrill through me. What was happening? Why did he have this effect on me despite the fact he’d undone my life in one swift stroke?
He took a step closer, his hypnotic eyes capturing mine. “You are—”
But I never learned what he was about to say because Silver came jogging down the path. “There you are!”
Kalyll stepped away from me with a jerk and arranged his expression into something bland. “Is something the matter?”
Silver stopped. He’d been running, but he didn’t even look a little winded. “Your presence is required.” He looked straight at me.
“My presence?”
Even Kalyll looked surprised at that.
“It’s the girl,” Silver said. “She woke up and didn’t find you in bed. She came down to the dining room looking for you, and I don’t know what happened, but she…” He shook his head at a loss. “She’s holed up under a chair, holding a knife and hissing at everyone.”
“Oh, God.” I had completely forgotten about Valeriana.
Feeling guilty, I ran up the path the way we’d come, Kalyll and Silver right on my heels. I rushed through the kitchen and made it back to the dining room. I heard the commotion just as I crossed the threshold.
“Would someone hurry up and do something?” an annoyed female voice said. “I’d like to eat my breakfast in peace.”
I ran in to find Jeondar and Cylea with their backs to the fireplace. They were facing an upholstered chair that sat against the wall, while the king, Kryn, and a woman I hadn’t seen before sat at the table.
“It’s all right, girl,” Cylea was saying. “No one’s going to hurt you.”
“I want Dani,” Valeriana demanded.
Without a greeting, I ran to Cylea’s side, followed her gaze, and saw Valeriana’s face peeking from behind the chair, a knife glinting in her hand.
“I’m right here,” I said. “It’s fine. Everything’s fine.”
Valeriana hesitated for a moment, then dropped the knife with a clatter, crawled out, and wrapped her arms around my waist. I smoothed her hair and whispered soothing words. She was trembling, and as I tried to peel her away from me, she only held on tighter, her large green eyes nailed to the person sitting next to the king.