Riona clenched her teeth. She was wrong—nothing had changed. She still couldn't stand her uncle. With her fists balled tight, she growled, "I want him back!"
"He doesn't want to," King Valentin replied, standing still like a statue.
Whatever royal charm he'd once had was long gone, leaving him looking like someone who needed a nap, a vacation, or both. Sure, he was still intimidating but also tired. So, so tired.
Riona figured he'd been through a lot—probably something to do with the missing west tower, which used to show off how grand the palace was. But that wasn't her problem. She wasn't here for a tour of ruins. She was here for Florian.
Of course, that wasn't going to be simple. She started marching forward, only to have the king move in an instant, blocking the alley with his broad frame.
"He refuses to see anyone," he said, like a string player stuck on the same tune.
