Page 81

Is that what the Alpha told you?

Frowning, I give him the sign for “yes,” which is a fist to my lips with my pinky standing up. “And Godric doesn’t lie,” I verbally add.

He considers me, then writes another message. Godric isn’t here.

He’s right about that.

And we’ve had multiple instances by now where the tension between the Outcast and me has grown. I know he’s much more to me than just an ally.

He’s a potential mate.

Every touch and every glance forces my heart to skip a beat.

When we train, it’s under Godric’s scrutiny, but being alone with him like this feels entirely different.

Like all the resentment I’ve been holding on to might not be warranted. I can’t fully ignore the pull I feel to him anymore.

He writes me another note as I wrestle with my convictions.

I already told you that night that you had to pass the test before I could tell you the way to the castle.

“And even that had been a trick,” I remind him as I toss the note to the end of the bed. “There is no path to the castle. I have to complete the games to find the castle, and I already know I have to do that.”

I still have a mission to find my sister, which I now strongly suspect is being held in that very castle.

Or at least, a Rinhold is. And if a Rinhold family member is there, maybe I can get answers.

Going to the castle means death without the right preparation, his next note reads. A test is for your own safety.

I throw the note to join the growing pile. “Convenient that your test eliminated royals who were part of your personal vendetta. I don’t appreciate being used in that way.”

Realization seems to dawn on him as his eyes soften. It takes him a moment to scribble out another note.

I wouldn’t have let any harm come to you. You brought Godric, which was the right move. I can’t have any potential mate of mine rely solely on me. Not when I have…

He holds the coal stick while I wait to see what he thinks he has. Then he scratches out the last sentence and changes it to You need more than one sponsor.

The test hadn’t just been for me?

And why do I need more than one sponsor?

My cheeks warm as I realize Ze’ev fully understands that I am his potential mate, but now I’m curious as to why he’s so insistent that I need more than one. I would have expected him to be more competitive, given his Outcast nature.

“Godric can’t be my sponsor,” I inform him. “I might have inadvertently chosen him, or whatever you want to call it, but he says that he has to put his pack first.”

Ze’ev frowns at that news. Is there a third?

He doesn’t even bother with asking why Godric wouldn’t pursue me as a sponsor. He moves on to other options, which is very Ze’ev.

I nod. “There is.”

His shoulders relax. Good.

“I take it you don’t keep up with court events,” I assume aloud. “If you don’t know who my third sponsor is, I mean.”

He shakes his head, sending dark hair draping attractively over his mismatched eyes.

“It’s Arwan,” I inform him. “The Prince of Death, or whatever his title is.”