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“Bullshit, it doesn’t bother you. You’d have to be a yeti for it not to bother you.”
He continued his stare, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword to rest. “We don’t have a sleeping bag to keep you warm through the night. I fear you’ll get sick and die from complications.”
“I don’t get sick.”
A smug grin moved his lips. “Because you’re royalty.”
My eyes narrowed. “I work my ass off for my kingdom.”
“Yes, fucking sculptors and sharing pints of ale with your friends in the bar looks like tough work.”
“Fuck you, Aurelias. Every member of my family dedicates their life to Delacroix. My brother serves in the army, my father trains like we’re always on the brink of war, and my mother takes care of our people. I’m prepared to take the crown when my time comes and smite my enemies.”
“Still not the same thing as backbreaking work in the fields every day,Your Highness.”
“You’re a hypocrite.”
“Am I?”
“I don’t knowwhoorwhatyou are, but I know you’re important. I’m sure you have a very comfortable life.”
As our conversation wore on, the remaining sunlight faded from the sky. Now it was just shadows and darkness. His eyes shifted away, and he looked elsewhere, his handsome face hardened in thought.
“If you want to stumble in the dark, go for it. But I’m staying put.” I moved to a nearby rock, wiped off the snow, and then sat on the cold-ass stone. I brought my knees to my chest to keep the warmth close, but I still felt icicles every time I breathed.
Instead of arguing with me, he walked off and disappeared.
Did he really just leave me?
I refused to call for him, refused to admit I would probably die out here alone.
He returned moments later, carrying a stack of branches. He made a pile on top of some rocks and then lit a match. It took a while for the flames to grow and spread, but they eventually licked the wood and made a bonfire.
“I thought you said no fires.” I moved close to the flames and squatted down, feeling the warmth melt all the ice off my face.
He stood on the other side of the flames, looking into the dark forest behind us. “We have no other choice—because you’ll die without it.” He unclasped the cloak from his armor then walked over to me, wrapping the material around my body and placing the hood over my head.
“What about you?” I took it without complaint, knowing if I didn’t get warm, a sickness would enter my lungs.
He walked back to the other side of the fire. “I told you the cold doesn’t bother me.”
“Well, you aren’t covered in fur, so how is that possible?”
He looked into the forest again, like he could actually see something besides darkness. “You should get some sleep.”
“What about you? You don’t need sleep either?”
His eyes darted to me, his gaze cold. “Not as much as other people do.”
“Seriously…whatare you?”
He stared at the forest, one boot propped on a rock with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“You’re just not going to tell me?”
“I have no obligation to you. I apologize if that was unclear.”
“No obligation to me? Sounds like you’ve said that line before.”
