"You did amazing, Aria. Don’t let this rude dandy convince you otherwise," Jenny says, rubbing her slowly growing stomach even as she glares at her husband. Momma, Jack, and Jill aren’t back yet from the arenas, but my guards plus Hans’s guards—and spies, I’d bet anything—are with them at all times and Hans said Jack wanted to finish watching the jousts.

"She—she—" Hans can’t even speak.

I’m currently sitting in their living area, a nice and cool pea pack resting on my chest where that giant just about killed me. I know Sir Xonier gave the softest blow possible, but still. He’s big and strong.

Hans bursts into caws of laughter, slapping his knee with each intake of breath. He kinda reminds me of a crowing rooster. I just watch him through half-lidded eyes. I don’t have the energy to deal with him right now. Later is another matter entirely. Later, he shall know my wrath.

He finally starts cackling more than cawing. I didn’t know his full-blown laugh sounds more like bird sounds than human, gruff laughter. I would’ve pegged him as a bear growl laugher. And most of the time, it is. I suppose that’s the laugh he shows the world. This is the laugh he shows his family. I’m honored at the way he’s relaxing around me, but it’s quite humorous the sounds that are emerging from his lips, considering he’s supposed to be a big bad knight. He’s a bit of a legend to hear tales of him. I bet he’d lose all respect if someone heard this.

"You—eh, little minx, you are not destined to be a champion jouster." He cackles some more. "Just watching you charge that beast—" he breaks off into cawing again, and I close my eyes, thinking of happier places. Like stabbing things with pointy objects. I finger one of my hidden knives, a slight smile curving my lips.

"Nice to know there’s one thing I may best you at," he finally says between heaves of air, slapping his knee. When he looks up at me—with the rocks the size of peas cold from being in a mage cooler on my chest—his eyes crinkle and he starts laughing all over again.

I roll my eyes behind their lids, trying not to wince at the pounding headache behind my eyes as my skin feels as if it’s too tight. "You could beat me at most things, Hans," I say, my voice cross and nearly angry... if I had the energy, it would be angry.

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"If you weren’t holding back, I’d say it’d be quite the fight. Considering your fighting style, I’d bet on you." He’s serious, so I peek at him.

He’s rubbing that beard in thought, stroking the white peppered blond hair.

"My fighting style?" I whisper.

"You fight with wild abandon, much like your bond. All bite. An overwhelming attack with little thought to defense. I suppose it’s not surprising considering how you honed your skills in the streets. If you fought me as you did those creatures of nightmare, I’m not sure I’d be able to stop you, much less defeat you."

I snort. "I’m not as good as all that, although I appreciate the effort to salvage my behind after that thorough beating it received."

"You wouldn’t believe me unless you bested me in an all-or-nothing fight, minx, which won’t happen as you are too kind with those you love."

I sit back with a huff. Jenny takes my hand and starts to message my arm.

I relax minutely. When she gets to my shoulders, I lean forward to let her rub the knots out back there.

"Oh, that’s heavenly," I moan.

"Rest. You’ve earned it," Jenny says softly, an undertone of worry beneath the placid, comforting sound of her voice.

"What about my family, the prince, and the Underground?" I slur through my half-fogged brain. The assassins are still after him and I gotta protect him. Embarrassment runs through me. The prince is fine. What am I thinking? He could send assassins packing with one cold, haughty glare. But it's the soft heart I'm falling—nope. Nope, nope, nope. Not going there.

"I have him protected at the moment. Give yourself a break, minx. I’ll make sure he’s alive and kicking and itching for a verbal war with you," Hans deadpans, face cool as the peas on my chest, but his eyes glimmering with mischief as he rubs his beard to hide a smile.

My lips twist wryly at that, wondering how he knows. But then I realize he’s a spy master—and colonel, apparently—so of course he knows.

I lean my forehead on my hands, and the relaxing of my muscles does me in. I slump forward, and strong arms catch me then raise me up. Hans carries me up steps and through doorways.

Feather light fingers brush my short bangs from my forehead. "She’s running herself to exhaustion, my love."

"She feels there’s no other choice. She’s going to need our support for now, and later—let’s hope and pray things go according to plan. Otherwise—" he leaves the words hanging in the air.

"She’s our daughter now in every way that matters. We’ll be there for her no matter how this all turns out. I just hope she doesn’t lose her inner fire in the meantime."

"Me too, my cor. Me too," Hans whispers. I feel a whisper of a kiss on my hair, and it makes my heart warm to feel such fatherly love. He won’t replace Pa, no one can, but to have him and Jenny added to my family is a balm to my soul.