“Most people say good morning first,” Wickett answered, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Most people don’t wake up magically tethered to their executioner.”
“Fair point.” He stepped back into his room, then returned to the doorway, making the binding ribbon stretch taut between us. I felt the pull immediately—not painful, but insistent. “You seemed to sleep poorly. Nightmares?”
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”
He tugged on the connection again, just slightly, watching my face as I was forced to take a step toward him. “Actually, no. Tired people make too many mistakes.”
I planted my feet and glared, ignoring his words. “Stop that.”
“Stop what?” Another small tug, and this time I had to grip the doorframe to keep from moving. His smile was all teeth. “I’m just testing the parameters of our... partnership.”
“How are you able to manipulate the tether?”
His eyes narrowed as they scanned me. “I’d tell you, but I’m not in the habit of arming adversaries. Shall we?”
Calder took a step toward me.
“Relax, Heartless One. I’m not going to hurt your precious witch.” He released the tension on the binding, and I nearly stumbled backward. “Yet.”
He pulled the door open with a genuine smile. It wasn’t locked. I hadn’t even tried it.
I shoved past him. “Five minutes. Then you can go back to being insufferable.”
“I’m not insufferable. I’m thorough.”
“Same thing.”
When I emerged from the bathroom, Calder handed me my green cloak and something wrapped in cloth. Bread and cheese, still warm. His eyes searched my face with the kind of careful attention that meant he was looking for cracks in my armor.
“I know you’re trying to help, but I’m not helpless, Cal.”
“I’ve known you for seven years, and I’ve never once thought you were helpless. I know you’re smart, careful... well, mostly.” He slid his hands into his pockets, scanning the halls before he leaned down to whisper. “But you should have trusted me to do this. I’ll get her out of this. Make them think she’s dead if I have to.”
“I couldn’t stand the thought of going home alone. Losing you both in one day wasn’t an option. Doing anything but standing up didn’t feel right.”
He stepped close enough that the only things that existed in the hall were his broad shoulders and the concern on his face. “You’re not going to lose me. Get that out of your mind right now. And don’t trust the Ripper. Keep your guard up. No one is your friend in there.”
“It seems like you’re saying you don’t think I can beat Kat.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I know you can. It’s afterward I’m worried about. Now eat your food. Nothing good comes from an empty stomach.”
“Where did you?—”
“I’m always resourceful when it comes to food,” he said with a genuine smile before his gaze flicked to Wickett, who had just rounded the corner.
Twin swords crossed his back, and his hair, though tied back, was still wet from his shower. He consumed as much of the hall as Calder, though his eyes burned through me until nothing else existed. I wondered if I’d ever get past the fear of his presence.
“Keep your head up,” Calder said to me. “No distractions.”
Wickett stepped closer. “Touching. But we need to move. The trial will begin whether you’re ready or not.”
Calder pivoted, not quite between us, but still making his position clear.
“Careful,” Wickett said mildly. “Wouldn’t want to cause our little red witch any unnecessary pain.”
“So scary,” I deadpanned, rolling my eyes before spinning away. “And just because I have red hair, doesn’t mean you can call me the most basic nickname for a ginger.”
