"Probably," he said. "Have Rain give you a massage."
We all quickly put our weapons away, then headed out as a group. Bracken stayed behind to clean up, which Keir told us was not normal. We'd likely be expected to do that from now on, but it seemed we were getting a pass today.
Hawke and Wilder moved together as we crossed the grounds. Aspen and Rain already had their heads together, giggling about something. Keir was watching them with a smile, and I just couldn't help myself.
"Don't even think it," I warned him.
He flashed me a smile. "I'm thinking it. What are you going to do now?"
I rolled my eyes.
"It," he said. "It, it, it. I'm thinking all aboutit."
"That's not what I meant."
He shifted a little closer and dropped his voice. "I know. I also wasn't thinkingthat. Tor, Aspen's my friend. My partner in crime. I happen to think Rain is adorable when those two get to giggling like that. Aspen too, but a different sort of adorable."
"Most people don't think of queens as adorable," I pointed out.
He just shrugged. "And I'm not most people."
I was going to respond, but Rain pulled open the door, gesturing for Aspen to go in first. Somehow, we'd ended up on the girls' side of the atrium. Hawke and Wilder followed them in, but Keir gestured for me to go next.
"Majesty," he taunted.
"That's not my title," I reminded him.
"Asshole," he offered next.
I ignored him as I jerked my chin in Aspen's direction. "Syrup will ease any muscle pain. Not sure if it works for Rain."
"I'm good," Rain insisted. "Night, Tor. Keir!"
"Night," I muttered as the guys told the girls to enjoy their evening. Hawke made a production over being left out, but none of us stopped walking. I also wasn't the only one looking over my shoulder, checking to make sure the girls and Jack made it onto the elevator.
"Food?" Hawke asked.
I wrinkled my nose, knowing what he really wanted. "Pass."
"I'll go with you," Wilder said.
"Which means I'm with you," Keir told me. "I think this is getting to be a habit."
"I just like that they all have someone to watch their back," I admitted.
"So you simply expect me to watch yours?" Keir didn't bother looking at me as we made our way around the glass-walled atrium.
Both of us were checking over the doors and walls. I hadn't even needed to ask if he minded. The guy had simply turned his feet the same way mine were heading. From the way his head was bouncing, I knew he was trying to find some relic of the graffiti from this morning just like I was.
"It wasn't magical," I said.
"Clearly," he agreed. "Believe it or not, I am a couple of years ahead of you in my magical classes, Tor."
"Classes, yes," I agreed as we turned again, making our way to the elevator. "Training, no."
"Ok, you have a point," he admitted. "My parents were simple peasants."
"Who put a sword in your hand early," I added.
