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I paused for a moment to collect my words. “She made me feel like I was a person worth caring for.”

“You are.”

“But I never was to Vi. I didn’t think knights were supposed to care like that.” I hesitated. “In all my time as a squire, I’ve always protected my knight in the name of the crown. But today…”

I couldn’t finish. Part of me didn’t know how.

“You wanted to,” she finished for me.

I nodded at her perfect phrasing.

I felt stubborn tears burning my eyes as Eliza took my hands. “Do you think you love her, Beric?”

“I don’t know.” My frustration grew as tears pushed their way out—I wish I understood why I was crying. “Isn’t it too soon for that? I don’t know.”

“But you care for her.”

“Yes,” I said, and I’d never felt such desperation from myself in a single word.

“Then tell her.”

“I can’t pour my heart out to her just because the thought of her being in danger rattled me.” I pressed my lips together to shut myself up. This was why I stuck to the topics I knew. I didn’t understand what I was feeling, even after Eliza had translated it for me. I didn’t understand how I could even have warm feelings for a knight, of all people. “What do I even say to her?”

“You don’t have to say anything about feelings, yet.” Eliza squeezed my hands. “Perhaps begin with inviting her out for a walk.”

I wiped the remaining tears quickly. “What then?”

Eliza smiled. “Talk about what you normally talk about.”

Armor. Schedules. Her disaster of a cousin. None of those felt like the sort of topics meant for courting a beautiful girl.

“And perhaps,” she added, “voice your concerns to Cali before you go throwing her cousin out of the palace. It won’t endear you to her if it all comes as a surprise. As I said, options.”

I sighed, annoyed. “You’re right.”

“Of course I am.” She kissed me on the head. “Give Cali the afternoon to sleep. And you get some sleep, as well.”

“The king will want to know I’ve returned, first.”

“My father asks for updates as if he does anything around here.” Eliza rolled her eyes. “Of course, do your duty, as you always do. Then rest, Beric. For once in your life.”

“Thanks, Eliza. I will.”

“You say that,” she said, heading toward the door, “and then you find some task that needs doing.” She paused in the doorway, turning to me. “Tell Cali how you feel. She’ll return the feelings, I promise you.”

My entire face felt hot from my blush. “You think so?”

“Trust me,” she said, with a raise of a brow. “You are exactly the type of boy she’s looking for.”

CHAPTER 20CALLIOPE

I jolted awake and reached for Beric only to find a fluffy pillow.

Right. I was in my bed now. Home. Safe.

“It’s about time,” said Anise. She was sitting in a nearby chair, embroidering. “You slept for two whole hours.”

“Well, you didn’t have to wait,” I said, rubbing my neck. I must have slept like a rock, as if from a sleep draught. I’d never slept like that. Healing myself must have fatigued me more than I thought.