He says the second part out loud like he’s trying to prove a point.
I fold my arms beneath my chin on his chest. “If no one can hear us, then why do you still spend so much time talking to me inside my head?”
“Why do you?” He throws my question back at me, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“It’s comforting, I guess.” There’s no point lying when I’m as vulnerable as I can get right now. “It reminds me of simpler times.”
He hums, brushing his thumb over my freckles. “Maybe that’s true for me too.”
“Simpler times, being you locked in that labyrinth of a prison?” My eyebrow hitches.
“At least there you know what’s messing with your head. There are far more dangerous places than the prison.”
“Like the Ley Court?”
He smiles. “It’s safe for you there.”
But nothim.
The smile falls from my cheeks as I consider that. Wilder, walking around the enemy court—the enemy kingdom—when any day King Malachi could turn on him.
“What is your court like back home?” I ask.
“In Quietus?”
I nod. “I’m assuming you have at least one friend.”
He laughs—a beautifully haunting sound. “At least one.”
“Tell me about them.” I trace my finger over one of the runes on his chest, and it glows with the path of my finger.
Wilder rests his hand over mine, flattening my palm on his heart. “The court there isn’t much different from here. Those who circle have their own interests in mind. It’s difficult to have real relationships—romantic or not—when everyone is there simply because they want something from you. That’s why I spent time in Andare every chance I got. Warriors don’t care about royal blood. Respect has to be earned. Lord Darvel didn’t take it easy on me just because I was the heir to the crown. If anything, he made me work twice as hard for it. It was humbling.”
“And here I thought that was impossible.” I smile. “The great aether wielder humbled in training. I’d have liked to see that.”
“I’m sure you would have.” He laughs, brushing his thumb over my freckles. “Perame teased me endlessly about every slipup from the side of the ring. If I started making it look easy or got too cocky, she’d throw daggers at my head.”
“Were you close with her?” I have no right to be jealous when I didn’t know him then, but my chest tightens regardless as I wait for his answer.
“Yes, but not however you’re thinking. Perame has no interest in the males in the court. She and her twin brother, Atlas, are just close friends.”
“Oh.” My cheeks burn with embarrassment, and thankfully, Wilder doesn’t say anything about my jealousy.
“Lord Darvel is Atlas and Perame’s father. We grew close when I stayed with them in Andare. When I was summoned back to the Quietus Court, they came with me. Along with Rior.”
“Another warrior?”
“One of the best in Vaelier.”
“And you trust them?”
“With my life and my realm.” He nods. “Although, Atlas is agossip. He’s the last one you want to let in on any secrets, or the whole group is going to know about them.”
That makes me laugh. “He sounds like Letia.”
“Your friend in the village?”
I nod, my throat tightening. “What about Aurora? The king thinks she’s your mate. He must have his reasons. Is she a friend too?”
