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"Roden couldn’t have made these notes either," Conner said "It must be Tobias"

"Ask him, then"

"I think not," Conner said "I believe I’ll let Tobias rest secure in the belief that he’s in the lead for my decision The es, that overconfidence will guide him to expose himself" Conner chuckled, and then added, "I’m sure this secret is safe between you and me, correct?"

He didn’t wait for a response and I offered none Conner stood and walked over to me He lifted my face and inspected it for cuts or bruises "You’re none the worse after a stay in eons I hope the experience humbled you"

He took the blank expression one, but I suspect that comes from your lack of discipline and supervision, which means I can train it out of you I’ve heard that down in the dungeons, you told Mott you would be my prince Is that so?"

"You need me"

"Why is that?"

It took a few seconds to collect ents I can"

"So you’ll be their prince," Conner said "But will you be my prince?"

Slowly, I nodded Conner smiled and said, "You have one more week to prove it to et some rest"

He never asked ot what he really wanted I had proot me into bed, Errol atteht hien who sat beside me

I mumbled a hello to her She shifted her eyes to identify Errol in the roo irritated So I closed my eyes and went back to sleep

The next ti a war darker outside, though only a few lamps were lit yet I looked around the room, but we appeared to be alone

"Where’s Errol?" I asked

"Gone For now"

"So they let you out of the kitchen to play nursemaid?"

"No one else would come Not after the way Errol described all the trouble you were giving him"

"He made it hurt worse"

She frowned "I’ll try to do better Let me look at it"

"Don’t It’ll look bad and then you’ll have to pour this stuff on it"

"That stuff is alcohol and it’ll keep infection away" She helped me roll onto e There was silence as she looked at"Oh, Sage"

"It’s just the one cut"

"Which looks awful But you’re covered with bruises too" She lightly traced a finger across my back

"Your hand is cold," I mumbled

"Your skin is hot" She unknotted and loosened the bandage, then said, "The wound has sealed, which is good, but I’ve still got to use the alcohol"