Definitely not a dream.
“You didn’t strike me as a reader,” I say softly.
He turns a page without looking up. “Whyever not?”
“You seem like the kind of person who would behavingadventures,” I say. “Not the kind of person who has to read about them.”
“Surely I can do both.” His blue eyes flick up and find mine. “As can you.”
Said like someone with no shortage of silver—and no younger siblings to consider. “You don’t want to sleep?”
He glances out the window for a bare second. “No,” he says. “I told you why I came here.”
I’m making sure you’re not in harm’s way.
Again, this feels too easy. Too comfortable. My thoughts conjure the memory of his hands against my skin, and I shiver. I think of all the things he’s said to me in the weeks we’ve known each other, and I can’t reconcile it with the way he treated Jax.
He looks back at the book. “Perhaps I’m reading about all the other things we could do together.” He flicks another page.
Clouds above. I know what kind of book he’s readingnow. I pull the blankets over my head.
He laughs, the sound warm and low in the confines of my room. I don’t hear him move, but a moment later, the blankets pull free, and he flops down on the bed beside me. He’s removed some of his armor, but he’s still fully dressed, sheathed blades everywhere.
“My mother had quite a collection of books as well.” He pauses. “Some like these, but also history, artistry, military strategy—everything you can imagine. I had tutors since I was very young.”
Of course he did.
Then his voice takes on a heavier note. “I used to read them when she was away. And then … after.”
The weight in his voice tugs at my heart. “Me too,” I say softly. “Jax and I would sit and read for hours. I always liked the stories of romance, but he was partial to the ones about magic.”
“Ah.” He reaches over and tickles my nose with a worn piece of paper. “What is this?”
I frown, reaching for it. I have to squint in the dim light, but as soon as I recognize it, I flop back on my pillows.
“It’s the note from the tax collector,” I say. “From the midwinter levies.” I want to crumple it up. I should have crumpled it up weeks ago. So much stress and worry and harm over one little note.
“That’s quite a sum.”
I roll onto my back to stare at the ceiling. “I’m sure it’s nothing to you.”
Alek touches a finger to my chin and turns my gaze to meet his. “It’s not nothing toyou.”
I don’t know what to do when he’s like this.
“Yes, well.” I bite at my lip and wonder if I’m revealing a secret. “Jax owed twice as much.”
“Truly?”
I can’t read anything from his voice. We could be discussing the weather.
“Yes. Truly.” I tug the blankets back up. “Why do you think he started carrying messages at all?”
“I have no idea.” He pauses. “So now he’s conning silver out of the King’s Courier?”
“I don’t think he’s conning anything. Jax isn’t like that. He was very regretful that he lost your trust.” I pause. “Especially since you brought your business to me.”
Alek is studying me now. “I didn’t trust him the first time I saw him speaking with Tycho. He couldn’t expect to play both sides. I told you before, if he doesn’t like dangerous games, he shouldn’t play.” He tickles my nose with the note again.
