“Oh so you were afraid?” I teased.
He laughed. “Not afraid. Just not allowed.” He replied. “The High King wouldn’t permit me to joust.”
“And you always do what your brother says?”
“Always.” He said seriously.
I gulped, feeling like I might have inadvertently crossed some invisible line. “So, if given the opportunity you would have taken part then?”
“Perhaps. Why? Would you have liked to have seen me jousting?”
I shrugged. “Maybe to see you fall.”
He laughed again. “I don’t fall.” He stated. “When I joust, I never lose.”
“Is that right Prince Fain?” I laughed.
He smirked and then stopped, looking beyond me as his face changed. Nela and Indi suddenly moved, blocking my back as Fain turned me to face him fully.
“What..?” I began.
He shook his head just a little. His eyes fixed down the corridor now behind me.
I heard footsteps. A lot. A group of people walking and then they suddenly stopped.
The air felt tense. Like something was about to happen. I held my breath keeping my eyes fixed on the Prince, looking for any revelation of what the hell this was.
“High Prince Fain.” Someone said almost respectfully but the hint of something was there.
Fain inclined his head. “King Hayes.”
I stiffened. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Someone was watching me. I could practically feel their eyes running over me despite Nela and Indi trying to block me from view.
As the footsteps retreated Fain let out a low breath.
“Let’s go.” He murmured taking my arm, ensuring the pace was now faster. A lot faster.
“Wait.” I said pulling myself free. “What was that? What’s going on?”
He shook his head slightly. “It’s just politics.”
“Bullshit.” I snapped.
Indi gasped. Nela’s lips curled like she wanted to smirk but didn’t quite dare.
“Tell me what’s going on.” I said.
“Nothing is going on.” Fain replied.
“That’s not true. I’m not an idiot. Do you think I can’t see it? Do you think I don’t notice when you’re all exchanging those looks?”
“What looks?” He asked.
“You know what looks.” I said.
He sighed shaking his head. “This isn’t a discussion for now.”
“Right.” I folded my arms. Of course it wasn’t. It never bloody was.