“Onika,” he muttered. “She assists me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve done it.”
No matter how many different diseases separated Magoria from Earth, their bodies’ anatomy all seemed the same. She shouldn’t have been surprised, but it made her wonder what other diseases or ailments she could stumble upon.
“Not everyone knows. It can be inconvenient at times, but it’s easier ifonly the people that need to know are aware of it,” he said.
“Wait, this medicine could change the lives of so many people. Why haven’t you shared it?”
He replaced the tin and jar, obscuring them from view. “To be born withmamatis a death sentence, and it requires rare herbs to make it. I’m not to share the recipe, because if I did, the herbs would run out. There are only a few patches left in Godwin that even grow the main ingredient.”
“You’ll sentence other people to die so you have more time?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“I’m sworn to secrecy!” he shouted, extending his palm, revealing a white scar lining his skin. “Several others in my family have been diagnosed over the last few years. My father has sworn us all to secrecy of the formula so we may all live, or would you prefer I sentence my young nephew to death?”
She dropped her shoulders. Maybe their realm wasn’t much different from hers. “No, but it’s still awful you aren’t allowed to share it. It really screams privilege.”
“I didn’t ask to be born into my family or withmamat, but I’ve taken the hand I’ve been dealt.” He sat in a chair beside Theodoric. “Has he told you why I’m here and not in Mount Juniper?”
“No, I don’t know where you’re from. Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone enjoys talking and spilling secrets like you do.”
He scoffed, rolling his eyes. “My father is the Duke of Oakheart. I was born in Mount Juniper but traveled here every Sunreign.”
“So, you decided to stay?”
He gave her a slow blink, and she swore if he wasn’t so goddamn annoying, she’d find it attractive.
“One does not simply decide anything of such magnitude. I renounced my heritage when I was eighteen and became an official soldier of Luana.”
“Let me guess.” Amaris grinned, taking the seat beside him. She rested her elbows on the armrest. “Mommy and Daddy didn’t take it too well?”
“Hardly,” he said, brushing off her joke. “My brother, Ricard, will take my father’s place. For an heir to assume the title, the one who holds it either dies or resigns. Theo’s father is growing older and has no intention of holding his title until he dies. However, my father will likely sit on his throne until he becomes a pile of bones.”
“Were you close in line or something and it pissed you off?”
“No, I would’ve never seen a position like that. Sabina, my older sister, will be the next chief and then train Ricard’s second born, Kazamir to take her place when he’s ready. She has a daughter of her own and doesn’t want to hold the title forever.”
“But she didn’t want to pass it along to you?”
He turned his gaze toward the window. “I didn’t want it, therefore resignation of heritage.”
“But—”
He hovered a finger over her lips. “That’s enough about me, unless you would like to divulge your deepest, darkest secrets.” She pursed her lips, and he smiled. “Good girl.”
“Really?” she scoffed.
He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “Give it time, Amaris. They all fall for my charm in the end.”
“Fat chance,” she snapped. “There’s no way in the realm I’d ever be caught dead with you,andI’m engaged!”
A knot formed in her stomach. Her chance at proving herself had dwindled with her first escape attempt. She didn’t know when she’d be able to try again or if Theodoric would even help her, but a part of her didn’t feel pressed anymore to run down her street and cross over the threshold into her house. Did that make her a terrible person, wishing for more time away?
“Not even if I could get you into the grandest party of the year?”
That pulled Amaris back from her thoughts. “What do you mean?” She glared at his taunting gaze, the way he raised his brows and bit his lip.
“Go with me to the Conjugation?”
