Gods, my mind was a scrambled, pathetic mess.
I shook my head. “Just stop,” I repeated calmly.
He approached me and gripped my shoulders. “You feel out of control. Believe me, I know the feeling.”
I gazed up at him, and his solemn expression made me believe him.
I lowered my brows. “Perhaps, but I doubt you know what it’s like to be poor,” I said quietly. “To be looked down on like you’re something different, just because you’re less fortunate.”
Just because you’re a Mage. How could he know the feeling of being hated for simply existing?
“I don’t…but I know how it feels to be dealt a series of cards you didn’t ask for. That you don’t want.”
“And what cards are those, Quill?” I questioned.
He just gave me a blank stare in response.
I shook my head again. “Don’t expect us to relate on anything when you tell me nothing meaningful about yourself.”
His lips formed a tight line, his hands sliding down my arms and back to his sides in defeat.
After a moment of awkwardness, he spoke again.
“What is pizza?”
I turned to him and narrowed my eyes.
“What?” he asked.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
He frowned, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Even though the Inner Ring was so close, it was like a whole other world.
“You’ve never had pizza before?” I asked incredulously.
He gave a half smile. “Am I missing out?”
I laughed through my nose. “I think it is pretty good. Though it probably pales in comparison to Inner Ring delicacies,” I said, unable to hold the slight bitterness in my tone.
“You’ll have to show me sometime,” he said sincerely.
I looked at him with a raised brow, then smiled softly.
“Perhaps I shall.”
Quill proceeded to tell me how I should eat: higher calories and more protein. Instead of going through my normal exercises, Quill began to show me evasive maneuvers. No weapons were used, but he showed me some of his favorite ways to block hits. We did that for our remaining hours before I was thoroughly spent, and we wrapped up for the day.
We didn’t speak much on our way back. But before we reached the bridge leading back to the kingdom, I said, “Listen.”
His golden eyes met mine, and he wore an expression I couldn’t decipher.
“I am grateful for your help. I don’t mean to…” I sighed as my eyes fell to the ground, attempting to find the right words. “I don’t mean to get angry. I don’t really have an outlet for…for all I feel. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”
I was slightly startled when his hand took mine. I met his gaze once more, and it was as intense as ever. He studied me, his thumb dragging along the back of my hand, and I decided to keep going. “I just wish to know about you, too.” I frowned. “I suppose I don’t understand why you are so secretive with me.”
His jaw clicked. “It is not that I wish to be. It…it is complicated.”
I looked away. “Right,” I mumbled. His other hand found my chin, tilting me to meet his eyes again. The gesture set my heart racing.
