But then he went around a corner, so instead of trying to talk to him, I turned and followed the directions he had given me, darting in between the mess that littered the streets. People were out doing theirbest to clean up, but I could tell that it would take a long time for the quarter to be restored.
Heat poured out of the various armorer and weaponsmith buildings, accompanied by the sound of hammers banging against metal. I stopped to watch as one man hammered out a shield with flecks of metal flying—smoothing it out, knocking the dents from it, forming it into shape before plunging it back into the fire.
It’s what had happened to me since I’d come to Ilion. I was constantly being battered and reshaped by my experiences, forged into something new. Something useful. A shield to safeguard these people, to be wielded in battle. My prejudices and anger being hammered out of me, forging me into a better person.
I wouldn’t have chosen it, but I was glad it had happened. All that I’d witnessed, all that I’d lived through and survived, it had changed me. In some ways it had hardened me, but in others I’d been softened. Brave but vulnerable. Strong but gentle. Battle ready but desiring peace.
Softness wasn’t a negative thing. It allowed me to be a more compassionate and caring person.
I spotted Xander with a group of men putting up a scaffolding around a column so that it could be mended. He was down here working with his people, helping them. Not back in the palace planning a party. I wished the archons of the council could see this.
He straightened his back and turned his head to the side, as if he sensed something. Then he rotated around and saw me, and the moment his eyes met mine, my heart immediately started thumping.
Would I ever get accustomed to him? Was I forever doomed to heart palpitations because of how handsome he was?
He stalked over to me, his long legs closing the distance quickly.
“There you are!” I said when he was close enough. “Thrax said you were here and—”
“You came alone?” He stopped directly in front of me and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I can protect myself. I’m armed and I have power.” I said the last word softly so that no one would be able to overhear.
“A power that lasts for a few moments and then you pass out. Leaving you completely vulnerable.”
He didn’t need to be so protective. “As you can see, I’m fine. Nothing happened. You are worrying too much.”
He waved one of his arms toward the broken buildings behind him. “I don’t think I am.”
That was probably fair. “I understand. I’ll try to be more careful in the future.”
His eyebrows shot up his forehead in surprise. “Come over here,” he said and walked off, clearly expecting that I would follow. I did, but it slightly annoyed me.
He led me to a makeshift outdoor tavern and pulled out a chair for me. “Sit.”
“Why don’t you ever ask things nicely?” I did sit but my annoyance was increasing.
“What?” he asked as he took his own seat.
A barmaid approached and Xander said, “Bring us two beers.”
She nodded and headed off, and I said, “There’s a perfect example. You demand. You give commanding orders. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say ‘please.’ I thought princes were supposed to have manners.”
“Life would be easier if people would do what I say. I expect to be obeyed.”
It did feel like he was trying to provoke me. “I am not obedient.”
“I noticed,” he said dryly.
“My mother taught me that ‘please’ is a magic word. That people are more likely to do what you want if you ask politely.”
He shook his head. Like I was the ridiculous one.
“You could also ask people what they want before you place an order for them,” I said. “I don’t like beer. I would prefer wine.”
“I think both you and I should steer clear of wine for the time being.”
That filled my head with images I did not need in there. I wasn’t going to allow myself to get riled up. I tried to imagine why he was being so gruff with me right now. I knew he was upset that I had traveled here alone, which I probably shouldn’t have done. The last time he’d warned me about something like this, he’d been shot with a poison dart trying to protect me.
