Page 206 of Maksym

He smiled faintly. “That was not my question.”

“It’s my answer.”

The truth spell remained quiet.

A murmur threatened the gallery and died beneath the Magistrate’s stare.

The counsel’s smile thinned. “You ate with Ironwood wolves.”

“Yes.”

“You drank with them.”

“Yes.”

“You ran with them.”

“Yes.”

“You enjoyed yourself.”

“At first.”

“At first,” he repeated. “You considered Sloan Lynch a friend.”

“Yes.”

“You spent time with Sage Lynch.”

“Yes.”

“You rode horses with him.”

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

“With horses, counselor.”

A sound cracked from somewhere near Iron Valor and was immediately swallowed. I looked down at my notes to hide my mouth.

The prosecution did not appreciate the distinction.

“You were not distressed during that ride, were you?”

“Not in a way I understood yet.”

“That is convenient in hindsight.”

I stood. “Objection.”

The Magistrate’s eyes shifted to me.

“Argumentative.”

“Sustained,” the Magistrate said. “Counsel will ask questions.”

The prosecutor inclined his head stiffly. “Of course.”