Something warm struck Dell’s face, waking him from a half-slumber. A bird cawed overhead, but all he heard was the soft laughter coming from nearby.

He breathed in the salty air, lost in the sound.

Wait, salty air? Where was he?

He slid his eyes open slowly, the waning evening sun striking his eyes.

The events of the day came back to him. The Madran games. Fighting Orlo. Len.

He bolted up, hating himself the minute he did as pain ripped through his side.

Len’s laughter cut off. “Hey.” She approached him with a tentative hand out in front of her. “You should really lie back down.”

His eyes found her olive-toned face framed in wild dark curls and his breathing evened.

She bit her fist to muffle another laugh. “I’m sorry. It’s just… a bird used your face as a latrine.”

The warmth he’d felt before slid down the side of his cheek. He wiped the back of his hand across his skin. “Ugh, gross.”

“I don’t know. I thought it rather improved the look.”

He shook his head. “Do you make fun of the prince this way?” As soon as they were out, he regretted his words.

Len’s expression shut down, ice entering her gaze. “Maybe if you used your brain instead of your fists for one moment, you’d see not all of us fit into the image you have of Madra. Maybe I’m not the woman you think I am.” Panic flashed across her face as if she’d said something she shouldn’t. “I just mean… don’t judge what you don’t understand.”

She rose and turned her back on him.

Dell leaned on his elbows. He had a habit of saying the wrong thing and pissing people off. But he didn’t want to do that with this girl. Mistress of the prince or not, she intrigued him. If she’d tied herself to the Rhodipus’, she must have a reason.

Wasn’t he tied to them now as well? Thanks to Edmund and Ian, he now had to choose a side. He was either with his family who had never been kind to him, or he was with Edmund who’d been nothing but.

He pushed himself up, ignoring every ache inside and crossing the inky black sand. Len stood with her oversized trousers dragging in the water as she knelt down.

“You’re right,” he said.

She straightened, raising an eyebrow. “I’m what?”

“You know what I said.”

“I do. I just enjoy hearing it is all.”

“You frustrate me.”

A grin spread slowly across her face, and it was as if it lit up the entire world. “Good.”

“Good?”

She nodded. “I sort of destroyed everything for you today. If I didn’t frustrate you, then I’d think you were insane.”

“Why are you still smiling then?”

“Maybe I am insane.”

He finally laughed. “Probably.”