Leroy had never raised his voice like that, not to her. Not to anyone. It wasn't just a command. It was desperation. A scream from someone who had just crossed a line and didn't know how to live with it.
Her knees trembled, but her heart… her heart went still.
Not because he yelled. Not because he looked ready to erupt.
Her heart went still as she felt peace. Because something inside her husband had been shaken, and that meant he was still alive in there. Not the hostage prince, not the pawn in royal games, but the man who had just defied his father.
And she would not run from that man, even if it would protect her.
Whatever had rattled him, whatever demons now clawed at his mind, this…this… was necessary.
Let him be angry. Let him scream. Let him think. He needed to feel this. To burn in it. Only then would he finally stop bowing to men who used his strength and his silence against him.
He needed to break free.
