“Morning? It’s almost afternoon,” she says with a smile. “Sleep well?”
I cringe. “I did. How about you?”
“Okay, but that’s kind of how it is when you get to my age.” She looks up from the fruits she’s cutting up. “Don’t ever getold, Child.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I say dryly. “I take it Rauk has already left for the day?”
“He has. He’ll be gone for a few days at least.”
“What? Why? And if you say kingdom business, I’m going to throw something,” I warn. She clamps her mouth shut, and I pinch the bridge of my nose. “He’s killing me. Where did he go?”
“To go deal with some problems, but he probably won’t be back for a little while.”
I stare at her as dread pools in my gut. “Are you talking like weeks...like last time?”
She nods. “Probably.” I rub the back of my neck. I’m so frustrated, and I have no idea what to do. I look over at her. “Don’t worry about it. He’ll be back before you know it,” she says patting my hand.
“Where would he go?”
She frowns. “What?”
“Where would he go from here?”
She shakes her head. “I can’t really say.”
“I just mean, where would he go when he leaves this building? Where does he go first thing in the morning?”
“Oh, he’d go check in with his council.”
“And where would that be?”
“In the main building in the center of town, but...wait, where are you going?”
I look back at her. “To the main building in town.”
I don’t wait to hear her protests. I am so tired of him blowingme off. This time, it’s not going to happen. I will talk to him todaybeforehe leaves for weeks on end. I head to my room and grab my fur, and then I’m out the front door. I make my way to the center of the town. People stay out of my way when I walk; I’m not sure if that’s because of who I am or if it’s my demeanor. I’m betting it’s the latter, but I don’t really care. I’m irritated with Rauk, and it is past time to talk. He can’t just keep leaving for days on end. If he’s doing this just to avoid me, then this is not going to be a pleasant conversation.
When I get to the center of town where all the buildings and people are, I make my way over to the largest building. There’s a man outside the door that I’m guessing is security. I walk over to him. When I get close, he stands straighter. “Can I help you?”
I do my best to sound somewhat polite. “I’m looking for Rauk.” The man blinks, and I correct myself. “I’m looking for your king.”
“He’s not available right now.”
I give him a look. “Look, I’m not really in the mood for this right now. I need to talk to Rauk, and you need to let me. My name is—”
“Harper. Yes, I know.”
I’m starting not to like this guy.
Redara is suddenly in my head.Don’t you dislike most men?
Hello to you too,I send back.And that’s not true.I eye the man standing in front of me. “I just need to talk to Rauk. If you could just let him know—”
“He’s not here,” he cuts in.
I stare at him. “Seriously? You could have led with that. Where did he go?”
The man’s expression hardens, and I know I’m not going to get anything from him.Red,I start.
