…And it’s been two weeks of asking Torin every day about her, just for him to give me the same answer every time:“She’s resting.”
“Your move, Koen,” Asbel’s calm voice cuts through my thoughts.
I toss a card onto the pile harder than I mean to.
Lioran grins widely. “Where’s your mind, big bro? It certainly isn’t here.”
I scowl. “My mind is on the game.”
“Lies,” Lioran says cheerfully, just as Asbel mutters, “Barely.”
Lioran leans across the table, eyes glittering. “Tell me, Koen…do your thoughtseverstray from the princess?”
“Don’t start.”
Asbel doesn’t even look up when he says, “You’ve asked about her every day. Torin must be growing weary of repeating himself.”
“I just want to know if she’s alive,” I snap, tossing the rest of my cards down.
“She’s alive and still better with a sword than you,” Lioran says cheerfully, slapping down his useless hand. He nudges Asbel with his elbow. “Remember how she beat him every time they trained together. Every time. Imagine that. Losing to your future wife before the vows are ever spoken.”
“She’s not—” I cut myself off. Why the hells did I agree to spend more time with these guys?
Asbel gives me a pointed look. “Not what? Not your future bride?”
I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady. “She doesn’t even like me.”
Lioran gives me a smug look. “Funny, because Ren actually likes me.”
I shoot him a glare.
His grin turns wicked. “But don’t worry. We are better as friends. I never stood a chance at her heart. That disaster’s all yours.”
Asbel’s mouth curves faintly. “Everyone already knows that she chose Koen on day one. Just neither one ofthemhasrealized it yet.”
My pulse stutters. I shove down the warmth rising in my chest and drown it with wine.
“It’s so fun to mess with you, but enough talk,” Lioransays abruptly, slapping the table, clearly more drunk than I realized. “Time for a real game. Dares!”
“Dares?” I frown. “...Like what children play?”
“Exactly! Loser does whatever the winner demands,” he says. “Perfect way to test courage and stupidity.”
Asbel sighs. “You’re already winning at stupidity.”
Lioran ignores him and deals the next hand. “Lowest hand loses first round.”
Two rounds later, Asbel is balancing three cards on his head, though I suspect he’s using his wind magic. Lioran shouts his encouragement, and I try not to choke on my wine.
I lose the next round, and Lioran’s grin turns sinister. “Time to confess, big bro. First kiss.”
I freeze. “Um…” I clear my throat. “...never happened.” A lie, but definitely less embarrassing than the truth. Though I’m sure Calder has no qualms with talking about it.
They both stop and stare at me for a long moment before exploding into laughter…even Asbel. I’m not sure if I have ever seen him actually laugh before, but here he is, laughing so hard he can’t catch his breath.
“What?! Not even a stolen kiss at a festival?” Lioran asks, barely getting the words out through his laughter. “And here I thought I was giving you a really easy question to start with.”
I scowl, wishing for this night to end. I’d rather be fighting wraiths again than havethis conversation. Why didn’t I lie? I could have just given him a random name and moved on. “Not everyone is like you, Lioran.”
