Valerie's voice echoed above the chaos he'd started, his tone sharp with desperation. "Where is he?!" he demanded, his eyes wild and bloodshot, clearly losing his grip on reality.
The pressure of everything he'd been dealing with, compounded by this unexpected attack, was driving him to the edge of sanity.
"Aldric, you bastard! Come out this instant and stop hiding like a coward!" Valerie screamed, his self-control shattered, and his anger blazing.
"Valerie!" Queen Maeve marched over to her son, her lips pressed into a tight line, displeasure evident. The entire room turned to watch as she approached.
When she reached Valerie, she grabbed his arm with a firm grip, her voice a snarl. "Stop this madness this instant! What do you think you're doing? You've crossed the line, son!"
But Valerie was beyond reason. He was a ball of anxiety and fury, and he pulled away from her. "Don't touch me!" He snapped.