Page 40 of Court of Winter

“So you’re saying I have empathy?”

I started. “No, um...no, that’s not what I meant. I just meant that not everyone with eyes would be able to see that. I’m saying that you’re wrong.”

“So that definitely sounds like you’re saying I have empathy, which would imply that I’mright.”

Flustered, I wondered how I’d trapped myself in a corner, then realized it was because I’d felt vulnerable so therefore got defensive and started blubbering.

“Hardly,” I finished lamely.

“Then what did you mean?”

“I meant that—” I paused.Dammit. What did I mean? Because if the prince had just picked up on the wave of sadness that had rolled through me, and he’d cared enough to ask about it, did that mean hedidhave empathy? The Bringer of Darkness, the fairy who wreaked destruction on our land, actually had some kind of heart?

He chuckled. “And now you look angry again. That’s an emotion I’ve grown quite used to seeing on you.”

“What makes you think I’m angry now?”

“You get a little line between your eyes, and your lips thin in the slightest way when you’re upset.”

My eyes widened. He wasn’t wrong. Cailis had told me the same thing.

I shifted in his arms, not liking where this conversation was going, mainly because it was forcing me to concede that the prince, in whatever capacity, did have empathy within him, even if it was in minuscule proportions.

Blessed Mother. I’d actually just accepted that.

“So are you going to tell me why you were sad a moment ago?”

I unclasped my arms completely from around his neck and crossed my arms over my chest. “Fine. I’ll tell you. I was thinking about how I’d never in my life thought I’d see the capital.”

He frowned. “And that made you sad?”

“Yes, it did.”

“Why?”

I rolled my eyes and then said sweetly, “Do you always ask this manyasininequestions, my prince?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Is that sarcasm I detect in your tone?”

“Me?” I batted my eyelashes innocently. “I wouldnever.”

He shook his head, but a hint of amusement rolled across his features. “So seeing the capital, after not thinking that would be possible, has made you sad. I have to say, of all of the emotions I’d expect a fairy to feel at seeing the richness of our great continent, sadness would have been the last one.”

“Then perhaps you’re not as empathetic as you thought.”

“Or perhaps there’s more to your story that you’re not telling me.”

“And why should I tell you my story?”

He shrugged, the movement causing us to lift slightly in the wind. “We still have thirty minutes until we reach the castle. Conversing seems like a good way to pass the time.”

“Are you getting bored of the silence?”

“Not at all, but I have to say, now that I’ve asked you a question, which you seem Mother-bent on avoiding, I’m even more intrigued.”

A smug smile lifted my lips. “Good. Then I won’t tell you.”

His mouth parted, a look of shock covering his face, before his eyes narrowed. The look was mischievous enough that my stomach flipped.