“I expect you to be with me every evening after dinner. Especially if there are guests.”

“Right, that is one of your rules.”

He grinned slightly. “You’re a surprisingly slow learner, Andromeda.”

“Quick learner,” I said, my mind too tired to keep an annoyed bite from peeking through. “Slow follower.”

We were quiet for a moment.

Without a word, he held the box out to me.

“What is it?” I asked, leaning away.

“A peace offering.”

I had to remind myself I was in a grand house, not on a street corner. Rich people didn’t just hand you stolen things in order to keep the authorities off their scent … did they?

I took the box and opened the lid, and what was inside was better than jewelry. Chocolates. The expensive, gourmet kind, handmade with care. Two rows of four sat neatly in their designated grooves, their shiny gold wrappers resting on the red velvet lining of the box.

You could only find these in big cities, made by people who were trained in bigger cities.

“For me?” I held them tighter. It felt like a sin, holding them, but dropping them would be even worse. “I can’t take these from you.”

“When I turn twenty-one, I’ll own the largest chocolate company in the world,” he said, shrugging. “I’ve been crying chocolate tears since birth.”

I closed the decorative box gently. My face felt warm. I couldn’t have been … blushing? Over eight pieces of chocolate? Get it together, Andi.

“I didn’t know your father was a chocolate maker. That must’ve been fun, growing up.”

“Yes, well, he left when I was five, so…” Magnus cleared his throat. “After you left my room this afternoon, I had Esjay pick these up from my private supplier. I didn’t tell him they were for you. I…” He tugged on the belt of his robe with both hands, twisting it. “I didn’t want him to think I’d almost chased off yet another debtera.”

“You don’t have to worry about chasing me off.”

“Yes, of course, the patronage.”

“That. And I’ve dealt with people more difficult than you my entire life.”

He laughed a little—an awkward, jolting sound—and then sank back into his concerned grimace, like he hadn’t had much practice at happiness. “I doubt that very much.”

We were quiet.

“Thank you for the chocolates si—um, Magnus,” I said, tracing the raised embellishments on the box with my finger.

“Thank you,” he repeated, as if he’d never heard the words. Then finally, for the first time since I opened the door, he ventured to look up at me. His gaze was shy, but hopeful. “You’re welcome, Andromeda.”

He rocked on his feet, and for a second I thought he was going to leave, but he just looked me in the eye for a little longer before dropping his gaze again.