the memory of Cosima’s fingers digging into his thigh sent his gut and his conscience battling against one another.
“Leila, there’s something I need to tell you. I fear it’ll ruin the moment, but it wouldn’t be right not to mention it.”
“What is it?”
Tobias spoke slowly, easing into his words. “There’s only six days left in this tournament…and I’ve been told that I’m favored.”
“So I’ve heard.” Leila giggled. “The Giant Slayer. The Keeper of Kin.”
“What if this favor includes The Savior?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t concern yourself with that.”
“I hadn’t planned to, but then we had that banquet, and Cosima grabbed my leg beneath the table—”
Leila spun toward him. “She did what?”
“She grabbed my leg. My thigh. She squeezed it.”
“You’re certain.”
“I nearly choked on my damn food.”
She wavered. “What kind of squeeze? Like a friendship squeeze? Maybe it was a friendship squeeze.”
“She was a hair shy of my balls.”
Leila’s shoulders sank, and a pang shot through his chest. “I’m not trying to upset you.”
“I just don’t understand. I don’t see why She would…” Her voice trailed off, and she stared down at the floor.
“So…She doesn’t favor me?” Tobias said. “She’s never said anything?”
She met his gaze. “No.”
“Then maybe it was nothing. A fleeting impulse, gone in an instant.”
Leila didn’t look convinced, and the worry in her eyes made the ache in his chest all the more severe.
“I don’t want Her. I just had to tell you…”
“I know. I’m glad you did.” She forced a smile. “Thank you.”
Silence wafted between them, and she shook herself. “I nearly forgot. I have a surprise for you.”
“Another?”
Leila didn’t answer, taking hold of his wrist and leading him through the room. She stopped abruptly and extended her arms wide. “Right here. What do you think?”
Tobias eyed the nothingness before them. “It’s a wall.”
“Yes. For you.”
“You got me a wall?”
“For your paintings. It’s the best spot in the room, wouldn’t you agree? I moved some of the pieces so your art can be the focal point for all to see.” Her words tumbled over one another, rich with excitement. “Your sketches are in my chamber. I’m keeping them to myself. But anything else—any future pieces—they can go right here. And everyone in the palace can admire them whenever they please.”
“You did this for me?”
“Of course. Well, it’s mostly for me, to be honest. So I can stare at your art all the time. It’s a selfish endeavor, truly—”
Tobias pulled her close and kissed her, dragging his hands up her back and wrapping her in his arms. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“It’s just a wall.”
“For everything. For all you’ve done for me.” He frowned. “I feel like an ass. I have nothing to give to you in return.”
“Oh, that’s all right. I have plenty of walls already.”
Tobias chuckled. “Then tell me, what do you want? Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
“Stay alive.”
“I’ll try my best. I think I’m managing all right thus far.”
She cocked her head at the vacant wall. “Fill the wall. So I have something beautiful to admire.”
“Of course. What else?”
Her gaze softened. “Be good to me.”
A wide smile spread across his face. “Leila, are you not the most demanding woman I’ve ever met? God, these requests.”
Leila laughed, and he kissed her once more. “I’ll be good to you, my darling.”
Leila lingered close, then took his hand. “I want to show you something.”
“There’s more?”
She nodded, practically skipping to their final destination: a wall filled from floor to ceiling with tiny compartments, each one holding its own rolled scroll.
“The wall of scrolls. Poems, epics, all legendary.” She dragged her fingers over the frayed edges, grabbing a single scroll. “Are you familiar with the work of Karti?”
“Of course. Who isn’t?”
She twirled the scroll as if it were a wand. “This is the ‘Warrior’s Chant.’”
“That’s one of his greatest pieces.”
“It’s my favorite.”
“Well, you’re lucky to have a copy. They’re hard to come by.”
“Copy?” She raised her eyebrows. “This is the original.”
Tobias’s eyes went wide. “You lie.”
“I do no such thing.” She handed the scroll his way. “Care to look?”
“Are you joking? I can’t touch it! My filthy peasant hands. No, I’m unworthy.”
“Go on. You know you want to.”
“You’re mad. I can’t.”
Leila tossed the scroll to him, forcing him to snatch it out of the air. “Leila! What if I dropped it?”
“It’s parchment. It’s not going to shatter.” She gestured toward the scroll. “Go on, open it.”
Tobias hesitated, unrolling it delicately. “Oh my God.”
“Isn’t it glorious?” Leila peered over his shoulder.
“This is the original.” He scanned over the lines of ink and laughed.