Only that was so childish that Pel at least managed to keep his mouth closed around the words.
King Forex didn’t keep them for long tonight, and in the parlor, Torex joined Larexa at the pianoforte, as usual.
Pel tried not to stare at them, wondering, as he always did, what they were talking about. From time to time, Torex would flip a page, but everyone but their father knew that Larexa didn’t need the sheet music. Or maybe Forex knew, too, but he didn’t care because he just wanted her to spend time with the High Prince.
Sourly, Pel had to acknowledge that they made a striking couple. They were both dark-haired, although that close, he could see that Torex’s hair was closer to black, whereas Larexa’s was dark brown with some red undertones. Their expressions were both bright and lively. They were beautiful people, and everyone would say how good they looked together.
He didn’t even realize that Bavil had sat down next to him until the man spoke.
“Wishing that you could read lips?”
Pel hoped that he didn’t startle noticeably. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was listening to the music.”
“Of course you were.”
Pel finally tore his gaze away from his sister and Torex. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re sure about the competition?” Bavil asked.
Pel stiffened. “Of course I’m sure about the competition.”
“He’s a formidable opponent.”
“And I’m not?” Pel said, feeling the bitterness pull his lip up into a snarl.
Bavil huffed out a breath, sounding exasperated as he said, “That’s not what I said.”
Jaw tight, Pel managed to grit out, “It’s clearly what youmeant.”
“I meant only that you should be careful.”
Stiffly, Pel managed, “I’ll be fine.”
“Fine,” Bavil said and got up to go sit with their father.
Pel tried to relax his jaw as he reminded himself that he hadn’t expected anyone to have any faith in his abilities.
Larexa stopped playing as Torex left the piano and made straight for Pel.
“You said you were going to show me where we’re going to be fighting, or did you forget?”
It was dark out. It was absolutely terrible timing. But Pel greedily grasped at the excuse Torex was offering.
“Yes, of course,” he said, rising to his feet, making mechanical excuses to his father, not bothering to acknowledge his brother and sister, and then they were out of the room, and Pel breathed a little easier.
They made their way outside, where it was drizzling, thankfully, rather than pouring. Pel led them across the lawn and over towards the trees. He intended to set up some targets as well as to have the match with Torex.
He pointed out the areas he’d been thinking, which were almost impossible to see, only then Torex threw up a bunch of balls of magic, affixing them to enough trees that the area became visible.
This meant Pel could launch into a detailed explanation of why this area was so suitable. He was pretty sure he went on for a good ten minutes before he finally exhausted the topic.
Torex hadn’t interrupted even once, despite the fact that no one had been arguing against the suitability of the area that Pel had just gone on and on about as though itwere essential that he sell all of its features. They were both solidly damp now. Rain was trickling below Pel’s collar.
He sucked in a big breath and blew it out. His shoulders felt looser, and the terrible tension in his stomach had relaxed. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Torex responded easily. He hesitated for a moment and then added, “Are you going to bite my head off if I make an observation?”
“Probably,” Pel conceded. If Torex was giving him a warning, it wasn’t a good sign. “But you should make it anyway.”
