“Or what?” she demanded, glaring daggers at him. Her grave audacity made him boil.

Yes, he was being protective, but it was for good measures.

A few days ago, he had received an anonymous threat letter directed at him and the queen, and that had made him double the guard around the palace. He had increased hers as well and although there was a scowl on his face when he did; she said nothing. No, he wasn’t scared. He could protect himself from any attack, but he was scared ...