Atticus immediately leaped to attention, all levity gone from his expression.
"Where?" he demanded hotly, his eyes glaring daggers at Jonah. "Is he still on the grounds? Why haven't you apprehended him yet?"
Before Jonah could even defend himself against Atticus's words, Daphne hurriedly interrupted him.
"It's alright! I don't think he meant any harm― he even gave me flowers for my float!"
"He gave you flowers?" Atticus repeated as he stared at Daphne incredulously, before turning back to glare at Jonah. "And you just let it? What if it had injured Daphne?"
"Daphne, are you hurt?" Sirona asked worriedly, giving her another critical once-over. "Do you need to lie down?"
"If I fought him at the river, that would have caused Daphne more injury," Jonah retorted. "Getting Daphne back safely was my first priority!"
Check out the prequel: The Hidden King's Stolen Wife