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“It’s candy.” He said it like I should know what he was talking about.

“Candy?”

“Are you trying to tell me you don’t know what candy is? ?” he asked, disbelief creasing his face.

“I don’t know what candy is,” I confirmed.

“It’s made with sugar. It’s a treat. You never had sweets?”

“We had baked sweets sometimes if we had the provisions, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Is it really to eat? The colors…” Each piece was like a little work of art.

He fought a smile and shook his head.

“What?” I asked, self-conscious suddenly.

“Your joy at something I never thought to be joyous over,” he said fondly. “I love it. Let’s go in.”

“Really? Will you buy me some? I know you do so much for me already, but I have to know what they taste like!” I was so excited, I didn’t even care I was asking for things I didn’t need.

“I would buy you everything they have, Sol, but you can buy yourself some,” he said, like it was nothing.

I scoffed. “With what coin?” I’d come to terms with my dependence on him for now. I would find a way to pay him back one day.

“You have your own money now.” He lifted a coin purse out of the bag he was holding and handed it to me.

“What? How?”

“Trainees get paid once they are in the program.”

“And you’re just telling me?” I said, snatching it out of his hands. I opened it to find bronze coins, silver, and even some gold. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Explain yourself.”

“We have been on the road. You haven’t had any use for it. I brought it just in case you did.”

“You know what I mean.” I set my hands on my hips, trying to set an imposing figure.

He played dumb. “Nope, can’t think what you possibly mean...”

“At the palace. Why wasn’t I informed there?”

“Because you don’t need coin for anything there?” He said it like a question.

I pursed my lips and stared into his eyes. “Nyx!”

He relented, looking contrite. “Okay. I was slightly concerned if you knew, you would use it to abscond. It’s all safe, and it’s yours. I’d never touch it, I swear.”

“You may be right, but I still don’t like that you lied to me about it.” I wasn’t mad, truly. It was just another thing between us to make me wonder where we stood.

“I never lied. I would have told you had you asked.”

“It was a lie of omission.” I didn’t know what came over me, but I jabbed a finger into his chest.

He grabbed my finger. “It was. I’m sorry.”

Heat burned my skin where we connected, spreading through my body. I broke the eye contact and muttered, “I forgive you.”

He brushed the backs of his knuckles across my collarbone. “Thank you.”

I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes.