“I’ll find a way to go home. In the meantime, do you want me to look over your wounds?”
Mynor blinked. He glanced down at himself, knowing what Justin was seeing. His shirt had been torn open when he’d been captured, and it exposed his chest. He was incredibly bruised, but he also had cuts and scrapes. The blood was dry, but it wasn’t pretty. He didn’t care, especially since he’d get beaten again soon, but would it be so bad to have someone take care of him?
Without letting go of the food, he slid closer to the bars and settled back down. It would be awkward, but Justin should be able to reach the wounds on Mynor’s skin.
Mynor expected him to have more to say, but Justin went to work almost instantly instead. He rooted around in a box he’d brought, taking out something to clean the wounds. When he reached for the bandages, Mynor shook his head. “You can’t leave any of that on me. I don’t want the guards to realize that someone came around.”
Justin grimaced. “Yeah, I don’t think that would be good. I’m definitely not supposed to be here.”
“How did you manage to do that, anyway?”
“I think the guards assigned to watch me are about as good and hardworking as the ones who are supposed to watch you.”
That caused Mynor to laugh. He hadn’t expected it, and he didn’t think Justin had, either, because he gave him a pleased smile. Mynor settled back, wincing when Justin started to work. This wasn’t going to be pleasant. It also wasn’t necessary, but it was a distraction, and Mynor was enjoying himself. He still didn’t know if Justin had told him the truth or if he was an exceptional liar, but at the end of the day, it didn’t matter.
Justin was nice. He was gentle. If it wasn’t fake, it was going to be a problem for him, and Mynor felt the need to tell him as he watched him work. “People aren’t nice here,” he said.
“I noticed that.”
“They’re going to use your weaknesses against you, including your kindness. You have to be careful.”
Justin arched a brow. He might be half human, but he was also beautiful. Mynor wanted to believe he was nothing like Anya. He wanted to think that Justin was kind because he wanted to be.
“I already know this isn’t going to be easy, but thank you for worrying about me.”
“I just don’t want Anya to win,” Mynor grumbled.
But it was more than that. Unless Justin was an exceptional actor, he really was one of the nicest people Mynor had ever met. Mynor didn’t want him to lose that. The world needed more kindness.
But Anya would never allow her son to be that kind of person.
Chapter Seven
Justin now knew enough about his mother to be sure he wouldn’t be going anywhere unless she approved. The problem was that he doubted she’d approve of his going back home, and he wasn’t quite sure how to deal with that. He needed someone to open a portal for him, but if he had to guess, she controlled who could and couldn’t open them. Maybe she’d say yes if he asked nicely?
He looked at her on the other side of the dining table. He didn’t think that would work, but he didn’t have anything to lose.
“I think I’m ready to go home,” he said, putting down his fork. “It’s been a few weeks since I saw my brothers, and we’re all still grieving. They need me.”
Anya slowly looked at him. There was no compassion or sadness in her expression. “Do they?”
“Yes. We’ve always been close, and it’s more important than ever that we are now. With Caitlin gone, it would be too easy to drift apart. I was happy to meet you, but it’s time for me to leave.”
“How are you planning on doing that?”
“I need a portal. Considering you’re the queen, I’m sure you know someone who can do that.”
“You’re my son. I don’t want you to leave.”
“I don’t want to stay.”
Anya’s eyes narrowed. “Why wouldn’t you?”
“How about because you’re not the person you seem to be? I realize you’ve been trying to make a good impression on me because I’m your son, but I have eyes. I can see that you’re not a good queen or a good person. I’ve seen your dungeons.”
All emotion was gone from her face. “Have you?”
“I’ve talked to your prisoners. You hurt people. You hoard resources. You imprison anyone who dares to speak up against you. I don’t think you’ve ever cared about any of them, but isn’t that what a queen should do?”
