He looked at me, some of the pain in those deep brown eyes dimming.
“I’ve always been cold,” I said slowly. “Colder than normal.” I couldn’t believe I was telling him this, but for some reason, I wanted to. I trusted he wouldn’t treat me like everyone else did when they learned of my ailment. “At five years old, my parents realized it wasn’t just some silly quirk. I fell into a river,” I explained in a rush. “And when they pulled me out, my entire body was blue.”
Wolfe swore under his breath. “Like your fingertips always are.”
I looked away. I thought I’d been so sneaky, but Wolfe had noticed. “Anyone else who’d fallen in the river would’ve been cold, maybe gotten sick, but would’ve recovered easily. Not me. I almost died, my body so cold the healer said I wouldn’t come back from it. But I did,” I chirped, trying to hide the way my voice shook. “And from then on, I suppose, my parents—everyone in Bergenay—treated me like this porcelain doll. Even the princess. When I turned eighteen, I became her lady’s maid, and she still acted like I was the one who needed protecting. As I grew older, I guess I started to really believe it, that I was as defenseless and weak as everyone else saw me to be. Some damsel in distress.”
I waved my hand, and Wolfe caught it, his so easily engulfing mine. Our gazes met, heat shooting up my arm, and he quickly let go.
“My natural response in these types of situations is to freeze and wait for someone to rescue me, but I didn’t do that today. I saved myself and I saved a little boy.”
“You did what?” Wolfe’s brows shot up.
I nodded. “Well, we worked together, and I did still cry, and my fingertips still turned blue—my body gets cold when I’m stressed—but it was an improvement. I thought through the things I could do should the dragon wasps find me. I actually formed a plan, and it’s because of all the training you’ve given me. I’m so sorry about what happened to Lor, but you’re a good man, Wolfe, and you deserve more than a life where you’re punishing yourself.”
He looked away. “That’s not what I’m doing. I couldn’t protect Lor, but I can damn well make sure I protect Cillian, that I don’t ever letanother brother get hurt because of my actions.” He sighed. “And you did good today, Niamh. I’m... proud of you.”
He grimaced like the words pained him.
“I’m sorry.” I put my hand to my ear. “Can you say that a little louder?”
He glared at me. “Once was enough.”
“I don’t think so. You mumbled a little,” I said teasingly. “And I didn’t quite hear what you said. So I’m going to need you to repeat that.”
“It’s not my fault your hearing could use work. I’m not saying it again.”
“Okay, sunshine, but I’ll get you to say it again eventually.”
“Niamh,” he started, but I had a feeling I knew he was about to bring up our almost-kiss, and quite frankly, I didn’t want to hear more about how much he didn’t want to kiss me and how he just got caught up in the moment, so I held up my hand.
“It’s okay. You thought you were going to fail Cillian and lose his future betrothed, and it reminded you of your brother, Lor. I still contend that wasn’t your fault, and this wouldn’t have been your fault either, but you seem to like to shoulder the blame for things.”
He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
“So you’ll continue training me?” I asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
“Yes,” he said. “There’s no reason not to.”
Right. Because the moment between us meant nothing, which was exactly what it should have meant. I needed to get a grip on my emotions.
“Did you seriously move Sir Arthur to the foyer?” His lips twitched.
I crossed my arms. “And why not? He’s a great asset, and you all just had him locked in the dungeon. Poor guy.” I paused. “Or poor... armor.”
“He almost impaled me,” Wolfe said, which made me laugh.
“Of course you would think that’s funny.”
I only laughed harder while Wolfe glared, wiping at my eyes over the image of Sir Arthur trying to fight Wolfe.
“I can’t believe you found the library,” I said. “Maybe that means others will start to find it too.”
“Maybe,” Wolfe said as we settled into a comfortable silence, both of us staring out the window, at that red haze still high in the sky. I wondered how long it would take to fully go away.
“Thank you,” Wolfe said after a time, “for listening.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
