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“But he needs rest—”

“If he doesn’t obey, my uncle won’t spare him. He already suspects he helped me fight.”

Nicostratus’s bruises flash to my mind and my stomach twists. “They’re abusing him there.”

Quin says nothing.

“Youknowit. How could you let your brother—”

“He has to keep up a show of weakness, vulnerability. It’s better than death.”

“You should be there for him.”

“I’m exactly where I need to be.” Quin stops me when I open my mouth to speak. “My brother has been hunted for years, always moving to stay safe, never able to form friendships beyond his aklos. He recently lost his mother, and he’s stuck in the palace where to stay alive he has to let redcloaks openly hurt him.” He looks towards me, eyes glazed in deeper musing. “You are the one bit of light he’s begged me to protect.”

I swallow. That’s why Quin is here. Not to behead me (just yet). To watch over me on his brother’s behalf.

He shakes himself and delivers an admonishing glance. “You don’t make it easy.”

“You’d have died out there,” I say stubbornly. “I’d do it again.”

He rubs at his frown, displeased but resigned. “Stay in here a few more days.”

I scramble onto my knees. “What? Why?”

“Because I need you to.”

I frown questioningly.

Quin grimaces. “Our uncle is on the hunt for who dared transfuse my blood. He’ll question all the mages regarding their whereabouts. The queen and Florentius will keep your secret.”

“What about—”

“Everyone else saw only a blond man in a mask. There are many blond men about.” He pulls my mask from his cloak and studies it. “I’ll have this discovered outside the royal city. Florentius will reseal the archway. Spell your way out in front of Chiron after three days.”

He shifts and another wave of agony punches out of him.

I hiss sharply, reach under his collar, and pull out the flute.

He slaps a hand over it, crushing it against his chest. At my insistent fingers under his palm, he jerks his away. I lift the flute and shove it between his parting lips. Whatever barking words he has for me become squealed, random notes and immediately, his pain ebbs.

The same can’t be said of his glare.

“Health comes first,” I say. Then, at a lethal spark in his eye, add, “Your Majesty.”

The flute drops from Quin’s mouth and swings at his chest. He looks from it to the mask he’s still holding. “You’re shameless. But you have some clever ideas.”

“All from this priceless head.”

He flicks my priceless head. “You saved many today. Name your reward.”

I straighten eagerly. “Really?”

“Anything within my means.”

I gnaw on my lips a moment. Anything within his means... “About transferring me,” I begin. “I was strangely upset about that prospect.”

His gaze flies to mine. “You want to stay assigned to my quarters?”