The guard, Derrick, hadn’t been able to track Dani. That concerned Wulfram, there was no way she could have gotten away by herself in her condition, so someone had to have taken her. But who? Was it someone she knew, or someone who saw an opportunity and took it? His chest tightened at the thought of her in the hands of someone with ill intentions.

And he couldn’t even go after her himself. The carriage had arrived shortly after she went missing, and he was escorted back to the palace to face his parents. Wulfram scowled as he stared out the window of his quarters. Morning light spread across the city, bathing the buildings and the cliffs on the far side of the city in its golden glow. That had been an unpleasant conversation, especially when he told them about the bracelet.

It was old magic, at least as old as the kingdom itself. The last time it had been used was for a contract marriage four generations ago to ensure the not-so-happy couple at the very least cooperated. Even if they couldn’t be convinced to like each other. Technically, the bracelets meant he was now married to the little thief.

Legally, however, things were more complicated. Dani was a commoner, and royalty didn’t marry commoners. Especially when they were thieves.

A knock on his door pulled Wulfram out of his brooding. He looked up, considering ignoring it for a moment. But no, he was the prince and such antics were beneath him. “Enter.”

At least his wounds gave him an excuse not to stand up. He wondered how Dani was doing with her wounds today. Did she ache as badly as he did? He lightly touched the bracelet, trying to get a sense of her through it. Was it just him, or was that anxiety and pain coming through it?

“Good morning your Highness.” Ben stepped through the door, carrying a bottle of amber liquid. “I’ve been sent to see how you are doing this morning.”

Wulfram looked up from the bracelet and offered his old friend a somewhat forced smile. “Good morning Ben. What word do we have on finding Dani?”

“Straight to the point I see.” Ben’s smile faded slightly. He picked up two glasses from the small bar Wulfram kept in his room and set both them and the bottle on the table. “The city guards are on the lookout for her, and the Archmage will be by later today to try and track her through the bracelet. As well as see if there’s a way to remove it.”

“What time later today? Anything could be happening to her while we wait.” Wulfram looked at the bottle, and leaned forward to pop it open. He could use a little whiskey to take the edge off. He poured both himself and Ben a glass.

“This afternoon I believe.” Ben picked up his glass and took a sip. “Calm down Wulfram, you would know if anything bad happened to her. I’ve been looking into notes on the ancestral crown and how it’s been used in the past. There’s not a lot of information but if anything drastic happens to your little wifey, you’ll feel it through the bracelet.”

Wifey. Wulfram took a drink of his whiskey and set the glass down next to his breakfast. He wasn’t sure how that would stand in the court, but the idea wasn’t necessarily unappealing. He thought of her in the tunnels, glaring at him with those vibrant blue eyes. “I would prefer not to wait for something drastic to happen.”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

But there was nothing he could do right now, after the conversation with his parents last night he was essentially grounded. For now at least he would have to work through others to get things done. Luckily he could trust Ben and a few others to help him. “Let me know the moment anyone finds her. For now, how are things on the border?”

“Tense. At least the attacks have stopped, and there’s been some let up in the caravan raids. Although Hesiodos still refuses to pay any taxes for goods coming in from the ocean. I’m not sure King Alastar knows they just go to paying for the upkeep and security of the road.” Ben grimaced and took another drink of his whiskey. “And we can’t refuse to let traders use the road, it’s the shortest route from the ocean to Trade City. But then the traders also don’t want to pay taxes to maintain it! To add complications to the whole debacle King Alastar is asking to enter our kingdom with a group of his clansmen to- get this! Search for their princess.”

“To what?” Wulfram looked at Ben in surprise, trying to remember if he had heard anything about a missing princess from Hesiodos recently. “What princess?”

“The one that was supposed to be traveling with their High Queen to meet you.” Ben shook his head in disbelief. “There’s no way they would find her! If she’s even still alive.”

What the hell was Ben talking about? He hadn’t heard anything about a princess from Hesiodos traveling to meet him, and as far as he knew King Alastar hadn’t taken a High Queen yet. He had only just consolidated his power! “King Alastar already has a High Queen?”

“Huh? No, no I’m talking about the late High Queen.” Ben looked at him in bewilderment for a moment and then grinned. “King Danivell’s High Queen.”

“King Danivell’s High Queen? But she died years ago!” Wulfram frowned, and then understanding dawned. “Wait. You can’t possibly mean that princess! There’s no way she’s alive, I remember reading reports on what they found of that caravan, everyone had been slaughtered!”

“I mean exactly that princess.” Ben nodded, his smile fading at the mention of the slaughter.

It had been a tragedy, and old King Danivell had gone mad with grief. It was what started their conflicts with Hesiodos. Granted he couldn’t even imagine the grief he’d feel if his mother and sisters died, but to start a war? Wulfram shook his head. “There’s no way she’s alive.” He repeated firmly. “And even if she was, she’d be around our age, I doubt that she would be recognizable.”

Ben nodded and finished his whiskey. He looked at the bottle for a moment, considering another glass, but shook his head and pushed his glass away. “I know, but they’re adamant she’s alive, and that they can find her. Perhaps they have a similar type of locator magic that we used to find you, but then why didn’t they use it years ago?”

“I don’t know.” Wulfram said, finishing off his own whiskey. He poured them each a glass of water. It was far too early in the day to be drunk. Technically it was too early to drink whiskey, but it had helped ease his pain. The healer would doubtless be by later to check on him, perhaps they would have something other than alcohol to help. “What does father have to say about letting them search?”

“His Highness is inclined to let them look. Provided they can come to some agreement about the Trade Road, that it’s one small group, and that group is accompanied by some of our own people.” Ben listed the concessions, ticking them off on his fingers.

Wulfram nodded as he mulled over the concessions. They were reasonable, more than reasonable really. King Alastar was talking about coming into their kingdom and searching for a girl who was most likely dead. The whole thing sounded suspicious. “If he allows them to search I want to be part of their escort.”

“I don’t think your father will like that idea.” Ben said. “Especially after last night.”

“He might not, but I’m sure I can convince him. Besides, who else is going to go? He can’t because of his leg and it’s too much of a risk to send my mother or sisters. There should be a representative of the royal family in the party since it will be escorting the Hesiodos King, consider it a show of trust.”

“It is a show of trust alright,” Ben said dryly, but he nodded. “Well, good luck convincing your father to let you go.”

“Thanks, I’ll need it,” Wulfram said, and let out a sigh. He sure as hell could use some luck today.