"You know the fountain already," Devereaux began.
I nodded. I didn't look too closely, since I'd just spent a long time dozing against the fountain and felt intimately familiar with it at this point. I was also distracted by the painful jolts running up and down my knees, but I didn't want to ask Devereaux to stop. I was still enjoying this experience despite the pain.
"This is the castle," Devereaux went on. "Have you seen it up close before?"
I shook my head. This time I forced myself to look properly. It truly was a magnificent building, tall and grand and oozing wealth.
"Devereaux," I said a bit breathlessly, "do you live in the castle?"
"I do not."
That didn't make any sense. Devereaux had power over the guards, at least enough to not get in trouble for keeping me here after hours, and he clearly wasn't a commoner. But he didn't dress like a royal, and if he was, he wouldn't have any reason to talk to me. Devereaux truly was a mystery. In a way, he seemed as out of place in this world as I did.
"Then wheredoyou live?" I asked.
Devereaux stopped walking. He took a moment to answer. "I live on the castle grounds, but not in the castle."
I imagined a little cabin nestled somewhere behind the castle. "Like in a separate building?"
He tilted his head, thinking. "No. I do not 'live' anywhere. I simply am."
I blinked in confusion. I couldn't tell if he was joking or being philosophical.
"Well, I'm sure wherever you live is nicer than the orphanage," I said.
Devereaux's mouth tightened into a thin line. "Yes. The orphanage... You have mentioned it before. I am sorry about your parents, Florian."
"Oh, it's okay. Honestly, it's sad to admit, but I don't even remember them. It happened when I was really young."
He looked relieved that his question didn't make me uncomfortable. "I see. Then we are alike. I do not remember my parents either. In fact, I may not have parents at all."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Devereaux paused as if he'd said too much. "My apologies. I do not wish to make the conversation all about me."
"No, not at all!" I insisted. I squeezed Devereaux's hand, which was still linked in mine. "I want to know more about you. If you're comfortable sharing, I mean."
He turned his blindfolded gaze on me. "You do?"
"Of course," I said with a laugh. "You're the most interesting man I've ever met."
He regarded me with an expression I thought might be wide-eyed behind the blindfold. Surely he had to know what a fascinating person he was? I wondered if I was the first person to tell him that.
"It pleases me to hear that," Devereaux finally said, sounding a little shy. "And I hope you do not think I am copying your words, but I can say the same about you, Florian."
My body heated up. Being around Devereaux was like cuddling around a fire on a cold night. Warm, cozy and dreamy. When I was with him, I felt like the two of us were alone in another world.
And that didn't seem so bad...
But as much as I liked Devereaux, I couldn't leave Pascal behind. He was my best friend. I was excited to tell him everything about my meeting with Devereaux.
"Ah, that reminds me," I said. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything at all."
The blindfold drew my gaze, the black fabric jarring against Devereaux's pale skin. It only added to his mysterious charm.
"I have a friend who is a bit like you," I said.
