Oh, he thought he was so clever. He would keep me out? He invited me in! I nearly stood up and brought down an icy death on them all, but Andar’s hand on my upper arm kept me seated. And harmless.
Andar’s voice tightened. “Thank you, my lord.”
* * *
I kept my head down and snatched the mug of steaming chamomile when Andar stood to escort me back to our room. The two guards remained in position—apparently Lord Taedo didn’t trust us entirely—but as soon as the door closed behind us, I wanted to scream.
Instead, I hissed a whisper at Andar. “Can you believe him?! Telling me to my face that he will keep me out of his city?!”
Aslow smirk lifted Andar’s eyes. “I thought you’d be more offended by him hoping the ice dragons killed you.”
I squeezed the mug of chamomile, letting ice gather around my fingers and the cup. “Right?! The insolence! And audacity!”
A silent chuckle shook Andar’s chest. “It’s almost like he was baiting you.” He set his mug down on the table next to our empty stew bowls.
My indignation dried up as I considered that. “Do you think he was?” That would have been incredibly clever, much more devious than I’d expect out of any of the city lords in Kalshana.
Andar’s face turned serious. “No. I do not think he knows who you are.”
I pointed at the door. “He left his soldiers.”
Andar shrugged. “A precaution. He doesn’t trust us, but he doesn’t think you are the Snow Queen. He would not have been so relaxed or confident if he did.”
His reassurance calmed my concern and annoyance. I sipped my chamomile tea and nearly melted in satisfaction. “You were perfect,” I said, before I talked myself out of giving him the credit he’d earned. “You kept his focus deflected and got all the information I hoped for. I—” I stopped, shocked at myself for nearly uttering the unfathomable. I’d almost told him I owed him a debt. Instead, I settled with, “I am impressed.”
He took a step closer to me and let a smile stretch across his face. “You are impressed that I did what I told you I would? Am I not fae?”
The mug I held felt heavy and awkward as he loomed closer. I set it on the table and reached an unsteady hand to my waist, again missing the blade that used to hang there. That hilt had always been the perfect place to release nerves—something to grab while sending an intimidating message.
But I hadn’t had it for years. Of course, I hadn’t been flustered like this before either.
Andar stepped closer again, close enough that I could have lifted my hands and pushed him away. He slid his mug next to mine, but he didn’t touch me. “Did you expect me to agree to your charade and then sabotage it?”
Instead of touching him, I spread my hands to my sides and whisper-shouted back. “What do you want me to say? That I’m grateful for your help? That I appreciate you? That I am in your debt?”
He gripped my upper arms—gently—and stared at me, his bright blue eyes burning and his voice low and gravelly. “I do not want you to feel indebted to me. I am glad that you are pleased with the information you heard.”
My stomach flipped. He did not want me to feel indebted to him? Even with all the extra things he’d done for me? “That is not normal. Fae always want to be on the favorable side of a debt.”
He tipped his head. “Not always. Not among friends and family.”
I stepped away from him and folded my arms. “Especially among friends and family.”
He eyed me for a moment, as if unsure of himself for the first time all day, but then he extended a hand.
Eyeing it suspiciously, I met his gaze. “What is that for?”
He flicked his fingers in a “Come” gesture, and I crumbled. How was I supposed to resist such an invitation after the performance he’d just done for me? He might claim not to want a debt, but I owed him.
I set my hand in his, and he tugged me to the bed. I stopped right in front of it. “What are you doing?”
A light flush ran across his forehead. “I just want to talk, and this seemed like the most comfortable place. It’s either here or the wooden chairs at the table. Or the floor, I suppose.”
My brows popped up. “Just… talk?”
“Yes.” He climbed onto the bed with all the grace of an ice acrobat and pointed to the far side of the mattress. “Just talk.”
“Fine.” I sat as far away from him as I could. “What do you want to talk about?”
