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“Don’t forget getting struck in the face.”

His gaze hardened. “She hit you?”

Noora tried to walk past him. While the bathing chamber was far bigger than anything she ever lived in; it still felt too small for the two of them. Nikolai stopped her, blocking the doorway with his frame.

“Noora.”

She looked up at him. “I was just joking, I don’t care what your mother did to me.”

“That is not true,” he insisted and Noora scoffed. “Now you know better how I feel?”

“I am saying how you should feel. No matter if a queen or a beggar insults you or touches you in a way you do not want to, you can be angry about it. Why are you not angry?” He looked at her baffled.

“I am angry, Kai. I have been angry my whole life. I just know how to hide it better. Because despite what you say, I cannot do anything about a queen treating me badly, she is the one in power, not me.” With that, she ducked under his arm and got into the sleeping chamber.

The sun was already setting despite it being late afternoon, now that winter was on its way to the kingdom.

“You’re wrong.” Nikolai trailed after her. “She might have more power than you but she is not more powerful than a king.”

Noora scoffed and turned around. “You’re telling me that you would go against your mother?”

“I did go against my mother when I sent you and Jo out of the library. I think I have made it clear enough that I am your ally in this palace.”

Noora nodded bitterly. “Yes, you made that clear enough. So clear that everyone knows you banned Kekoa because of what I thought.”

Nikolai blanched, his features tightening. “I banned Kekoa from the training rooms because he went far over the task orders and dismembered the wolf without it being necessary to retrieve the crystal. Not everything has to do with you.”

Embarrassment made her cheeks flare up. This was Pika’s and Tyra’s fault, they made her think that Nikolai did this because of her. They were all getting into her head and instead of focusing on her training and preparing for the next trial, she was spending silly thoughts on a king that barely liked her.

He might stand for fairness but that was all.

“You thought I bannedhim for you?” He let out a small laugh, deepening Noora’s embarrassment further. “Of coursenot,“ she spat, not knowing what else to say as the king strode over to her slowly, stopping until the tips of their boots touched.

His hand raised, he captured a white strand of hers between his gloved hands. He wrapped it around one finger covered in emerald cloth, tugging slightly.

“How sweet, you have a crush on me?” His lips spread into a predatory smile and Noora slapped his hand away, shaking her head. “Don’t be ridiculous, it is just what the others said.”

She walked over to the windows, her back towards him.

“It doesn’t matter anyway, I would like to go to sleep now.”

“In the afternoon?”

She whirled around to glare at him. “Is there anything else you wanted, Your Majesty?”

His jaw hardened but he stayed determined. “Yes, I originally came here to apologise for my mother’s behavior.”

“There is no need for that, I was out of line.”

“You were protecting my sister.” He took a step forward.

“I didn't do it for you.”

“Heavens forbid you do anything for me.” He rolled his eyes and Noora narrowed her gaze.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Hell, just stop provoking me for one damned second so I can apologise and thank you properly. Every time I try to have a civil conversation with you, you twist my words and make me out to be the villain, even though I am trying. You don’t know how much.”