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“Do your people not serve dinner? My parents dragged me out of my room for it every day as a kid.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “No, we don’t. I don’t let anyone who isn’t necessary into the castle; it’s too much of a distraction.”
My eyebrows shot upward. “Do you cook your own meals?”
“Of course. It’s not difficult.” He turned to the shelf and began rearranging. “Does Namir not know how to cook?”
“I don’t know, I just met the guy earlier today. Diora definitely doesn’t know how. Ordidn’tknow how a few months back. Do you use your castle’s kitchen for everything?”
“No, there’s a kitchen in my suite. I suppose I might need to cook for my brother and his companions.” A bit of a grimace tugged at the side of his lips, which was the only part of his face that I could see.
“I’m sure they can go into town and get something.” I reconsidered my words as soon as they were out.
Shit, that sounded like I thought I was staying with Espen, so he could cook for me.
Rephrasing it, I said, “I’m surewecan go into town to get food.”
His eyes narrowed at me. “Am I included in thiswe?”
“Pretty sure you’re a king. From what I know, kings do whatever the hell they want.” I lifted a shoulder, stepping up beside him and rearranging the books he’d started to arrange.
He let out a rough laugh. “Fuck, I wish that was true. In my experience, kings don’t do a damn thing they want.”
“And what would you do, if you could do anything you want?” I asked, sliding over to the other side of the shelf and moving some of the books.
“Sleep for an entire day, probably.”
I snorted, and he let out a softer chuckle.
“Creative,” I remarked.
“In all honesty, I’d like to see my kingdom. To see what I can do to help my people thrive without Horvis’s assistance. To sit down with my brothers individually, and ask about their lives. Not their battles, or their desire for power—just their hobbies. Their favorite foods and colors. We never had a chance to become friends, with the constant calamity of our childhoods. And it seems like a shame to share blood with two men I barely know.”
“I’d give anything to have my sister back,” I admitted. My voice was wistful, my heart heavy.
I hadn’t spoken about her with anyone since I lost my family, but I felt like Espen and I had gone through similar-enough experiences that I could talk to him.
“What was she like?” He continued working on the books, reorganizing the ones I’d moved earlier just to see if it bothered him.
“Lissi was fiery. She spoke bluntly, and always had the best stories. Everyone she met either hated her or loved her, usually instantly.” My lips curved up a bit sadly.
My eyes stung a little.
Stars, I never cried.
“Did you have any brothers?” He still didn’t turn around, and I got the feeling he was giving me privacy.
“No. But I was close with my father, too. He was kind of like you, actually. A bit awkward. Sweet. Protective, but not in a toxic way. And stars, he loved my mother more than anything. I was blessed to be his daughter.” I lifted a shaky hand to wipe away a few tears.
“And your mother?”
“She was our family’s sun. Bright, happy, and warm, no matter what any of us were going through. I’m pretty sure that the constant optimism she practically forced down my throat is the only reason I survived so many years of hell. That, and Vena and Diora. If I’d let go, everything would’ve been worse for them—if they survived it.”
“Then why did you separate from them so soon after you escaped?” He didn’t sound judgmental; his voice was neutral, and his expression calm but slightly curious.
“If you ask them, it’s because I wanted revenge. Which I did. Still do. But honestly…” I trailed off, my eyes focusing on the row of books we’d put on the shelf.
“Honestly?”
