Page 126 of Zenith Tower

“He brought the Council’s answers to my questions. He sent copies to other seats before he came here.”

“That was smart.”

“It was.”

“You sound annoyed about it.”

“I am.” He looked down at our hands. “It would be easier if every good thing he did arrived too late to matter.”

“Did you forgive him?”

“No.”

He answered too quickly, then looked away.

“I embraced him,” Caspian said.

I waited.

“I wanted to.”

“That isn’t forgiveness.”

“I know.” His fingers closed around mine. “I’m trying to.”

Through the bond, I felt how much the admission embarrassed him and how little he wanted to take it back. I raised our joined hands and kissed his knuckles.

“What do you need from me?”

“A promise I don’t have the right to ask for.”

“Ask anyway.”

He drew a breath.

“If Walkin uses me against you, don’t give them whatever they want just to make it stop.”

I released his hand.

“No.”

His shoulders drew back a fraction.

“Astra.”

“You don’t get to decide what I’m willing to risk for you.”

“I’m asking you not to let them turn my pain into a weapon.”

“And I’m telling you I won’t promise to watch them hurt you while I do nothing. You would never make that promise about me.”

The muscle in his cheek jumped.

“No,” he said.

“Then you know why I can’t give you that.”

He looked toward the door. The steward’s shadow remained beneath it.