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Kellyn’s eyes land on me once more, and I look away hurriedly.

“Maybe one day you’ll tell me your secrets, bladesmith, now that you know some of mine.”

He thinks you’re a beauty.

He thinks you’re a beauty.

He thinks you’re a beauty.

The thought is on repeat in my head. It’s all I can think about while I try to sleep that night.

“I think there’s something wrong with him,” Temra says.

“The mercenary? Of course there is.”

“No, Petrik.”

This finally pulls me from my thoughts. “How do you mean?”

“I’m not getting anywhere with him.”

“You guys talked for hours today.”

“So? He hasn’t complimented me once! It’s like I don’t even exist. He just wants to talk about books and magic and how he grew up. Which, admittedly, I mostly find interesting, but he is showing absolutely no interest in me.”

“And that means something’s wrong with him?”

“Obviously.”

“Some people just aren’t attracted to other people in that way.”

“That’s not what I mean. I would be fine if that’s what it was! But he clearly said he wasn’t celibate.”

“Maybe he likes men.”

“He doesn’t. I already asked that.”

I have to cover my mouth with a hand, but my muffled laughter comes through anyway.

Something whacks my head, and I register it a moment later as Temra’s pillow. “How dare you laugh at me!”

I laugh outright now. “Poor Temra. Hordes of men fall at her feet, but she can’t get one scholar to adore her.”

“Oh, I will. He’s just making me work for it, is all.”

“Why do you care so much? Do you even like him? Do you even want him?”

“No, but it’s the principle of the thing! I don’t know how to handle a man who doesn’t want me.”

“Maybe you should set your sights on the mercenary instead.”

She retrieves her pillow from where it landed beside me. “I would never do that. He’s yours, Ziva.”

“He’s notmine.”

“Still, I’m not pursuing him.”

“That’s your choice.”