ALARIC

Princess Ivy was standing at my door, her eyes full of tears. I halted and frowned; I had never seen her like this before. “What’s the matter?”

“My body, my leg hurts,” she whispered, clutching my shirt and burying her face against my chest. Her tears slid down my skin, soaking into the fabric, and I couldn’t help but shove her back.

“What are you doing?” I snapped, my voice sharp enough to slice through her sobs.

“I… I am sorry,” she stammered, her words breaking apart as she fell deeper into her tears.

Her trembling form annoyed me more than it stirred pity. She always chose her timing...