Page 39 of Taken By the Shadow Prince

I nod and follow him inside.

In the sitting room, Benji gestures to a chair for me as he drops onto a loveseat, kicking his legs up and sprawling out. “Apologies for the mess,” he says. “I’d say I’ve been too busy to clean, but the truth is that I’m just a messy person.”

His honesty makes me smile. “I hadn’t even noticed.” Which I hadn’t. But now that I look around, it’s very clear that his chambers, or at least this portion of them, haven’t seen a maid since he took them over. “Why not have them cleaned?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I’m a private person.”

Fair enough. I get that.

The next moment, I’m swept into a story from Benji as he relays everything that happened while I was gone. How many sanctuaries said yes, how many said no, how many had to think about it and left them with an unsure answer.

Apparently, Kal and Kelsa became rather official, from how he explains it. After I left, most of the safe havens actually agreed to come fight, though a disappointing number of them still refused.

When he’s finished telling me everything, Benji says, “I’d ask what you were doing while you were gone, but I know you won’t tell me.”

“It’s like I said before.”

“Yes. A secret mission, like you’re the main character in a novel about political spies.” He gives me a smile, but something flashes in his eyes. Is he annoyed that I won’t share with him what I was off doing.

I don’t want to risk angering him, so I relent, just the slightest bit. “I was finding my own batch of soldiers. That’s all I’ll say.”

He shrugs. “I suppose I’ll take the token of good faith and run with it.” Benji grins. “Well, if you don’t have anything else to say, then I’ll tell you about Wes and the witch we caught him making out with. You’ll never believe it!”

Benji dives into the story, about how it was mostly a shock because no one knew Wes was gay, and it seemed like the witches had the same sentiment with his make-out partner, and I just listen. It’s easy, to just listen.

Though I don’t know if I miss it, if I miss just being the listener. Or, if maybe...

Maybe I sort of enjoy when I talk to Armin when I have something to say.

Chapter 23

Mavey

an offer

Armin cuts into his steak, takes a bite, and groans.

When he’s finished chewing and has swallowed, he says, “How the fuck is that so good?”

I barely contain my laughter, but the smile slips free before I can do anything about it. I say, “Lillian’s the best chef in the country. I’m sure of it.”

He shakes his head as he cuts off another bite. “I don’t see how a mortal has done something so wonderful in their lifespan. How old is this Lillian? Ninety?”

“She’s nineteen.”

“You’re shitting me.”

Now I do laugh. It’s small, barely there, but there nonetheless. “I’m not,” I tell him. “I’ll introduce you to her.”

“Good. I’d like to offer her tenure in my castle.”

“She’ll decline,” I say. “She’s too important here—for more than just her cooking—to ever leave. Besides,” I add, “You’re a mere witch, remember? You don’thavea castle.”

He frowns. “Boring. Perhaps I could request she come with us when we leave for Atheya, after all is said and done.”

I push my plate away from me, no longer hungry. “No. Lillian belongs here. Though I’m sure she’d be willing to send along a few recipe cards, if you asked.”

Armin shrugs. “Fine, then.”

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