I let my gaze drop back to his skates. First, it gave my pulse a moment to settle. Second, I actually needed them. I was tired of depending on Frost to cart me around. The major had better things to do, and even if I learned to drive, a first-year cadetwasn’t getting handed a military jeep. Skates meant speed and independence on the compound.
“Heard you called me a ten, Max. I appreciate the honesty.”
What?
The magic class swam back in vivid detail.
Shit.
I’d said it to taunt Delia and her little circle. Not only had Aelindor overheard, but Caspian had gotten wind of it too.
Kill me already.
“It was a big misunderstanding,” I murmured.
“There’s no misunderstanding.” He rolled to a stop at the mat’s edge. “I know I’m a ten. Told Drakken as much. Suggested he start at a three and work his way up.”
A laugh tore out of me before I could stop it—the picture of Drakken’s face at being handed a three was priceless.
“Caspian, any chance you could lend me a pair of skates?”
His green eyes sparked at the way his name rolled off my tongue.
“Sit,” he said.
I lowered myself to the mat’s edge. Caspian dropped down beside me with animal ease and lifted my foot into his hand.
Heat climbed the back of my neck. “What are you doing?”
“Checking your size, woman.”
“You could just look at my shoes.”
“Then I wouldn’t have a reason to hold your ankle.” His thumb traced the line of bone above my heel, shameless.
“Sorry to disappoint,” I drawled. “I’m not the delicate-ankle type. And while we’re at it—sorry about my weight, my smell, and the sustained inconvenience of hauling me across the Scorched Wastes.”
He went still and blinked.
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered. “It was Nikolai, wasn’t it? Always trying to smear my name and undo my good deeds. The man’s a cynic to the bone.”
“Three or more people witness something, it leaks,” I said. “That’s just how information works and rumor spreads.”
He stared at me. “Huh. That’s actually profound.” Then he winced. “Look, the dense bones thing—that was Nikolai’s fault. He brings out the worst in me, and you know it.” He flashed a smile that should’ve been illegal. “But unlike that vampire, I’m a man who owns his mistakes. So, forgive me? Just say you already have.”
I doubted any woman alive could stay mad at him, whatever he said or did.
“I don’t hold it against you, Your Highness. You hauled me five miles through a wasteland. I owe you one.”
His grin widened. “You know I’d do anything for you, Max.” He glanced down at my foot. “Same size as me. I like a tall woman with feet to match.”
I kept my face carefully blank, just to mess with him. The shifter prince was genuinely fun to be around—that careless lightness. “You really know how to flatter a woman. Large feet. Truly romantic.”
“Okay, that came out wrong.” He laughed. “But with you, Max, I don’t have to mince words. There’s an honesty between us.”
“Is there?” I teased, a smile tugging at my lips.
He stared at that smile like he wouldn’t mind drowning in it, like he’d do anything to keep it there. Maybe I should smile more often.