“And another thing,” he said, entering the room as he buckled his belt, “why is it so hot in here? Did you open a window? I can’t stand the heat.”

I rolled my eyes. “You complain too much.”

“No one else seems to have a problem with it.” He sat on my bed and looked up at me, raising his eyebrows. “So? What did you bring me?”

“Nothing. You’re a brat.” I folded the fabric bag, but Magnus took my hand to keep me from moving to put it away. His hand was cold, but soft. Smooth. I had the urge to rub it to warm it up, but kept still. “Do you have something to say to me?”

“At least tell me next time if you’re going out.” He released my hand, then gripped my blanket. “Look, sorry I fussed. I woke up and thought you had—I mean—” He stood up quickly, using his fingers as a comb as he walked toward the door. “Just explain yourself next time. It’s common decency.”

“I would never leave you before the job is done,” I said, and he stumbled to a stop in the doorway.

He hugged himself, standing between the warm of my room and the cold of the hall, and then turned on his heel and walked back in. “So, what did you buy?”

“Just a few essentials.”

“I could’ve gotten those for you. Next time just give me a list and I’ll send someone.”

“I needed to get out. It was a nice change of scenery.”

“You used your bonus money?”

I smirked. But he looked so confused, I couldn’t help it. “What else would I use?”

“You don’t need to use your own money on things like this. Not when you live under my roof.”

“I prefer to be independent.”

“Is that why you got yourself thrown out of your training? To be independent?” When I didn’t validate his rude questions with answers he tilted his head at me, like a confused puppy. “Why did you get thrown out, anyway? You never said.”

“Because it’s none of your business.”

“Were you sleeping around with the priests?”

I gaped, glaring at him, then threw my pillow at his head. He barely caught it, stumbling into the hall. “You don’t have to be so insufferable all the time, you know.”

His eyes went wide. “Am I insufferable?”

His reaction implied this was new information, which was strange. Did no one have the nerve to stand up to him? “And disrespectful.”

He nodded, hugging my pillow to his chest and leaning forward a bit, as if listening intently. “What else?”

There wasn’t a hint of sarcasm in his question. I hesitated. “Impatient.”

“That’s true. Would you like higher pay?”

“No, Magnus—” I took a deep breath. “I want you to do better.”

“You are the first debtera to complain about my personality.”

“To your face.”