“He was my friend first.”
What did you say first to someone whose very presence allowed you to breathe again?
Edmund swung his legs over the wall and jumped into the stall before tossing the remaining apple to Verité. “Ah, I can’t deny the truth in that, but we’ve come to an understanding, him and I.”
She climbed to her feet and crossed her arms over her chest. “Is that so?”
“Yes. I keep him supplied with apples, sometimes carrots, and he leaves all of my digits intact.”
“You’ve been spoiling him, then?” She laughed. “I won’t forgive you for fattening my horse.”
“Your horse?”
“Yes, what do I have to do to reclaim him? Defeat you in a duel? Again.”
He shrugged. “Not this time. Palace life has probably made you soft.”
Her lips pressed together to suppress a laugh. The feeling was fl
