It wasn’t like Wulfram had never been punched in the face before. Even as a prince he had had his fair share of scuffles in the training yards. And he had been half expecting the man to be angry. But he hadn’t expected a fist hitting him like a hammer, laying him out flat on his back with stars flashing before his eyes. He was fairly certain that this time his nose was broken, which was going to be hell to explain to his parents. They didn’t necessarily know he had even left the palace.

“Reshi!” Dani’s shocked voice reached his ears. Well, at least she wasn’t cheering the man on, that was a good sign, wasn’t it?

“Wulfram! Are you alright?” Ah good ol’ Ben. Wulfram looked up at his friend blurrily.

“Mah nobe ‘urts, bu’ ahm fine.” Oh great, how was he going to carry on a decent conversation if he couldn’t talk properly? He really needed to get Dani alone, without her lunatic father so that they could have a decent talk. He stood back up with Ben’s help, putting the rag Mrs. Haversaun had given him back against his nose. It wouldn’t do to bleed all over her fabrics.

Ben turned to glare at Reshi. “Sir, do you realize what you’ve done? You’ve accosted the crown prince! I should have you arrested!”

“I should knock ya ‘round too!” Reshi raised his fist, and Ben took an automatic step back, his hand going for his sword.

“No one is going to knock anyone else around!” Dani stepped between Reshi and the other two men, closing her eyes as she held her hands out. She took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “Reshi, please just- just let me talk to him for a bit. And you, what was your name again? Ben? I know you lot have healers on yer beck and call, can you get one?”

“I ain’t ‘bout ta leave ya alone wit’ this boy!” Reshi snarled, his glare still fixed on Wulfram.

“And I would hardly leave his highness alone after he was assaulted!” Ben protested.

“Reshi ya already laid him out once! He ain’t gonna do anything improper, and I can handle myself even if he were to try! And you, go get that healer or I’ll be layin’ you out!” Dani shook her fist at Ben, and Wulfram was glad that the large rag hid his smile.

“Go ‘head Ben. I’ll be fine.” He spoke carefully, trying to minimize the embarrassing honk his voice had taken on.

Dani turned to Reshi, and Wulfram could feel her heart pounding through the bracelet. It was taking everything she had to stand her ground with him. Gutsy little mouse.... “Do ya think I can’t defend myself if I gotta? Ya can even stay downstairs, I’ll scream if he tries anything funny.”

Reshi scowled down at Dani, looking like he would continue to refuse. But finally he gave a curt nod, and shot a glare at Wulfram. “Ye try anythin’, an’ I don’t care who ye are, I’ll kill ya.”

Ben opened his mouth to say something, and Wulfram put his hand on his shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “Ben, go ge’ a ‘ealer.”

It still looked like Ben wanted to argue, but he bowed stiffly. “Of course your Highness. After you, sir.” He looked at Reshi, gesturing to the stairs. That was going to take a nice bottle of whiskey to smooth over. Ben might be his friend, but in instances like this he was also something of a bodyguard.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Wulfram sighed as the two men went downstairs, a bit of the tension easing from the room. He knew he should have come by himself, but it would never be allowed. He supposed with good reason, he was the crown prince and had duties to fulfill. As uncomfortable as it was his life was not as expendable as others. And his mistakes could effect thousands.

He looked at Dani, meeting her glare with a calm face. He wondered what she would say if he told her she was cute when she was angry. She’d probably punch him just like her father had. “’Hank you Dani.”

“Thank you? Thank you? That’s what you have to say now?! You’re lucky he didn’t kill you! You’re lucky I don’t kill you! What the hell do you mean we’re married?”

Ah yes, just how he expected his engagement to go: physical violence and cursing. Hah! “I know it’s not ideal-”

“Not ideal?!”

Wulfram felt a twinge of annoyance. Most women would be happy to be married to a prince! Or at the very least they would let him get a word in! “Yes, not ideal. But I have a mage working on negating the spell already.”

Dani stared at him, her face darkening at his words. “Oh, I see. That makes it all better then!” She threw her hands in the air, and turned her back on him, starting to pace across the floor. “I can’t believe this! One little mistake and I’m on some gods shit-list!”

He touched his bracelet lightly, feeling the rapid beat of her heart, the panic, the anger. He lowered the rag, reaching out to grab her by the arm. “Dani-”

She slapped his hand and spun to face him, tears in her eyes. “Do ye ‘ave any idea how much of a mess my life is now? I gotta watch out fer the guards, I gotta watch out fer the thieves guild, I gotta watch out fer anyone might’ve seen me try’n ta steal yer crown. I wish I had never done it!”

The tears spilled out, and Wulfram pulled her in close to him. She pounded her fists against his chest, letting out a sob. “An’ now I’m married ta some noble an’ ya don’t even-” She took in a sharp breath.

Wulfram looked down at her, eyebrows raising. He didn’t even...? Didn’t even what? “I’m sorry, I didn’t think I just- things were bad, and I had to be able to trust you.”

Dani let out a bitter laugh, and gave him a shove, trying to break free of his arms. “Oh aye, can’t be trusted ‘cause I’m a thief. Really, I don’t blame ya. I woulda done the same type of thing. Only- marriage? Ya got ta be kiddin’!”

Wulfram smiled gingerly, and let her pull away a little, although he still held her by the shoulders. “Afraid not little mouse. As for having to watch out for all those people... come stay at the palace. You’ll be safer there.”

Dani let out a laugh, her eyes widening. “Stay at the palace? An’ what would I do at the palace? Ya not worried ‘bout me stealin’ the silver?”

Wulfram laughed and gently wiped a tear from her face. Her accent was so cute, the way it got worse when she was upset. “No, I’m not worried about you stealing the silver. Somehow I suspect your stealing days are over. Or did you come here to steal a dress?”

“No, I didn’t come here to steal a dress.” She batted at his hand, the pounding of her heart starting to calm as the conversation turned lighter. “Reshi, that’s my- my father. He told me this was gonna be my job now, an’ swore to turn me in himself if I stole again.”

Both of Wulfram’s eyebrows shot up. Her own father was threatening to turn her in?! That seemed awfully harsh. But then he didn’t have a very good first impression of the man. He touched his nose lightly, the blood crusted on it, he hissed at the pain even the light touch sent through it. Dani gave a wince of sympathy.

“Here, let me at least help you get cleaned up.” She grabbed another piece of fabric, the same tan that his had once been, and ran water over it in the simple little basin. “Sorry about that... but ya had it coming.”

“Why did I have it coming? This is still technically your fault.”

Wulfram had meant it as a light joke, but the look Dani turned on him could turn an army on its tail. He raised his hands in defense, trying to smile. “Joking! Joking! It’s at least partly my fault.”

Dani rolled her eyes and threw the damp cloth at him. “Clean yerself up.”

Then she was gone, storming back downstairs, her anger like a candles flame in the bracelet. Wulfram sighed and sat back down, letting out a groan. That could have gone better.