Do not think of it. Never think of it.
“Theron?”
Jolted from my stupor, I stumbled over a tree root, cursing as I whirled to find Eira watching me, her pale eyes wide with concern. Mauro and Frisk were also watching. Even Kendra poked her head out from Eira’s cloak to stare at me, unabashed.
“What?” I snapped, loathing the pity in Eira’s expression. I wouldnotbe pitied.
“Do you need to rest?” she asked.
“No,” I growled.
“Really? Because you seem… off.”
“Iseem off? What about you? Where are your quick barbs? Your relentless teasing?”
She smirked. “Are you saying youmisshaving me torment you?”
I rolled my eyes and turned away from her. I wasn’t in the mood for this.
“Fine,” she called after me. “But if you die of exhaustion before we reach the palace, don’t blame me.”
“I don’t think it’s exhaustion that’s bothering him,” Kendra mused.
“He probably needs food,” Mauro said. “I’m always grumpy when I don’t have food.”
“You’re grumpy all the time,” Frisk said.
“Shut up,” I barked. “All of you.”
“He’s not grumpy,” Eira said. “He’s downrightfoul.”
“Definitely worse than Mauro,” Kendra agreed.
I closed my eyes. The silence had been so much morepreferable, even if it was stilted. My mind refused to settle. If I didn’t get control of this conversation, I would strangle someone.
I had to turn the tables on the princess. Agitating her seemed a lot more appealing than allowing this useless conversation to continue.
“What happened when you were banished from the palace?” I asked loudly.
Eira and the creatures’ mutterings died in an instant. A cold, stunned emptiness filled the silence.
“What do you mean?” Eira finally asked, her tone wary.
“You expect me to believe Calista woke up one day suddenly hating you, then politely asked you to leave the palace, and you acquiesced? I think something happened. She was your stepmother for a while. Something had to have changed to make you leave. To make her hunt you.”
More silence. Blissful, beautiful silence. Oh yes, I could do this all day. I mentally prepared more probing questions that would elicit awkward silences from the princess.
“You don’t know anything,” Eira hissed.
“You’re right. That’s why I’m asking.”
“So I’m supposed to bare all my secrets to you just because youasked? Think again, hunter.”
“How about this—a secret for a secret?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
Bad idea, Theron.
But it was too late. I couldn’t take them back.
