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I find his armband, and kiss it. And kiss it again, because... love.

* * *

“Cael? Did you hear me?”

I shake off my contemplative frown and look over the garden table at Veronica, dressed in plum—to reference the plum trees surrounding us, swollen with ripening fruits. She is beautiful, with a fragrance to match. Fit for... the queen she is.

She picks up a teapot to pour. “Every time we have tea, you’re distracted.”

“Forgive me,” I say, turning all my attention to her forgiving smile. I hand her a spoon. “Whack me with this next time.”

She laughs, like the tinkling of fine crystal. “Is something the matter?”

I rub my temples. “Between health checks and studying,”—and revelling in these deep feelings for Nicostratus—“I barely get a moment to dwell on other thoughts.”

She smiles into a sip. “You’re at peace to think with me.”

“You’ve always offered calm and insight.”

“Flatterer.”

I smirk and say cheekily, “You think I’ll get in trouble with the king?”

“I think youarein trouble with the king.”

I jerk back in my seat. “What?”

“I’m not sure why, but when he watches you and Nicostratus practice—”

“He’s been watching us?”

“Whenever he comes to visit his son, he observes you both, frowns, and leaves abruptly. Something about you bothers him.”

I swallow. “He’s very protective of his brother. He wants to be sure I won’t get him in trouble.”

Veronica cocks her head and hums. As if she’s aware of my role in the last time Nicostratus got hurt. “I’m sure you won’t intend to.” Her gaze absorbs mine like she’s piecing me together, bit by bit, trying to get a clear picture of all the possible outcomes I might have now I’m back in her life.

My stomach tenses.

She smiles at me, too brightly. “Nicostratus speaks of you with a fondness I haven’t seen in him in years. Constantinos? Well, let’s say you bring out his sharper edges. He’s protective of his brother in ways most don’t understand, and you... you’ve added more concerns.”

I gulp down the last of my tea.

She looks up, a sparkle in her gaze. “They’re both good people. They mean well. They tell me everything about you.”

“Including clinging to the king’s leg at bath time?”

“Including that.”

I croak, adding a laugh that feels feigned. “I can never look you in the eye again.”

Veronica watches me for a few heart-pounding beats and then smiles. “They ask many questions about you. I do have fun telling them all your misadventures.” Her eyes twinkle and she gestures to the plum tree closest to me. “Remember how I tricked you into learning drakopagon?”

“You told me the first ripened plum of the year was magical and could make any wish come true. You told me I could have it if I learned drakopagon and helped you win against your brothers.”

“Youreallybelieved it. I’ve never seen someone master a sport so fast.”

“I wished to become a healer!”