“Your Highness,” he returned. His brows went up to the other Blade.
Ser Willoughby shook his head. “I’m not preoccupied, Lord Commander,” he said. “I’m happy to escort Svana.”
Intently, I replayed their exchange and searched Eli’s rigid demeanor for any glint of willingness to be close to me or even a sense of obligation.
“Elías,”I said so softly I was shocked he heard it.
He glanced my way, then nodded curtly.
“Hi,”I said.
Lazily, or annoyed, he dipped his head another time, and in response, said, “Good evening, Your Highness.”
No one else said anything but Miss Josie urged me to comply with a silent look as Ser Elías took a long step to the side andushered me from the pairing. He bid farewell for us both, and walked us down the hall. I stared as we went.
“Is there something on my face?” he asked.
“What?”
“You’re staring at me,” he said. He looked back. “Just to your bedroom then? Or somewhere else?” he asked.
“You look well,” I replied.
He waited for my response.
“Yes,” I said. “My bedroom, please.”
“As you command.”
The lull until my door was agonizing. Once we were outside it, he turned to go, but I stopped him, catching his arm.
“Have you been?” I asked.
“Have I been what?”
“Well,” I said.
“Ah. Yes. I’ve been well,” he said.
It was silent again. “…Any word of bandits?” I tried.
“No,” he replied.
“No?” I asked. “Or like, no, there’s nothing I should know about?”
“Just no,” he said.
“I see.”
“You’ll know what I know when I know it, Your Highness.”
I nodded. Elías turned.
“Wait!” I said, stopping him a second time.
“Something else?” he asked.
“I don’t,” I told him. “I don’t want it.”
