Darius.

I entered to find Eryx on the floor and Wista bending over him, rubbing something foul on his cheek. Ash was giggling silently in a corner, looking delighted. Almost immediately, Eryx started complaining in my mind.
'She slapped me Darius! And I didn't even do anything-'
'Liar.' Ash called him out. He glowered at her.
'You're supposed to be on my side! I'm the victim here-'
Ash snickered.
'Of another girl slapping you. You really don't know how to take a hint, Fox, do you?"

Fox was Eryx's nickname, like mine was Dare and Wista's was Wish. Ash's nickname was technically her name, since no one called her Ashlyn, and I doubted that if anyone had, they'd live to tell the tale.

They were still arguing when I tuned back in, so I blocked them out again.
Arguing was their favourite pastime, and an excellent way to give everyone around them a splitting headache.

I glanced over to the princess, who  looked enchanting as ever, even after living underground for a week. Her golden curls were pinned up, but a few strands came loose, framing her soft features.
I gave her a careful once-over, noting that she had changed clothes- which was a pity. I had liked that deep blue colour on her- and that the skin on her delicate wrists was still raw.

I frowned. It was supposed to scab over by now. "Wista..." I murmured, my voice trailing off to continue in her mind.
'Did you prepare that ointment I asked you to?'

Without answering, her dark gaze still focused on Eryx's cheek, she handed over a small, rounded bottle with a sage green ointment in it. The colour of the princesses eyes when they flicked to me.

I subconsciously tuned in to her thoughts, smiling when I found that she was no less bloodthirsty, if not more so. Only now, she was wondering what the repercussions of smacking Eryx were.
My smile widened to a grin.

If I could, I would probably kiss her for doing what we've all dreamed of, and what Ash in particular has done multiple times. Said subject turned to me, a dark eyebrow cocked. I realised that she was reading my thoughts.
'Back off.'
She chuckled.
'I think she's growing on me, though I'm a little jealous, honestly.'
Her eyes twitched enviously towards the princess's hand.
I rolled my eyes. 'You've had your chance.'
I said before adding, 'Multiple times, as a matter of fact.'
She grinned widely.

Wista and Eryx stood up, the latter with a disgusted expression on his face when his fingers brushed the mud-like ointment on his cheek.
'What is this cr-' He began, but Wista cut him off.
'Call my ointment 'crap', and I'll sneak it in your breakfast porridge.' She threatened calmly. Eryx swallowed, but continued- like the idiot always did.
'Okay, but seriously, what is this shi- um, stuff?'

I blocked out the rest of their mind conversation, my gaze drawn to the princess, until Eryx tapped me on the shoulder. "What?" I asked. He rolled his brown eyes dramatically as he spoke into my mind.

'I said, make sure she gets payback for slapping me.'

From the corner of my eye, I saw Wista introducing herself to Aurelia.
I cocked an eyebrow.
'I was under the impression that you'd forgiven her?'
His lips pursed.
'Forgiveness with retribution.'
'That's not forgiveness.' I challenged.
He sighed, frustrated.
'Fine, whatever, just- just ensure that she doesn't do it again.'

I smiled, amused. 'Sure.'

Wista stood, and they went through the hole and emerged on the other side. Ash hesitated before trailing them, casting a narrowed look my way and then disappearing as well.

'Don't do anything I wouldn't.' Her warning came back muffled, and I snickered. There wasn't anything Ash wouldn't do.

I turned to meet the princess's startling green gaze. She was studying me, an enlightening expression on her perfect features.
Instead of burrowing into her mind like I usually would, I decided to ask her what she was thinking, since it wasn't exactly fair on her.

"How have you been?" I asked her politely, the words feeling weird on my tongue. I hadn't realised how much of my conversations take place in my head.

Almost immediately, I could feel the weight of her thoughts pressing down on me, and I was tempted to let them in. I had absolutely no doubt that they were filled with rage.

"As well as a person can be when they've been left in a boiling pit for five days." She replied scathingly, and the corners of my lips twitched. Oh, she was mad, and I was basking in it.

Although I did feel bad for leaving her in here, there was no safer place, especially when we weren't around. I hoped that if I let her out and answered some of her questions, she'd maybe stop wishing that a bear would maul my tempting face.

Suppressing a smile at her previous thoughts, I arranged my features into a sheepish expression. "I'm sorry," I said genuinely, moving towards her. "We didn't intend to be gone so long, and Fern is even sorrier than me. It was my fault, I dragged him along, and he didn't want to go."

Her eyebrows rose with questions, and I crouched infront of her, holding up a finger, and silencing her for the moment while I scanned her mind. I couldn't help the smirk that spread across my lips when I saw her plan to gouge my eyes out if I came any closer.

Staying out of reach of those innocent looking fingers, I made her an offer. "I'll answer as many of your questions as I can, but only if you let me put this on your wrist and retreat with both my eyes in my head." I gave her a lopsided smile. "They're my prettiest features."

A blush coloured her cheeks, and she blinked, looking slightly dazed. Shaking her head as though to remove whatever she was thinking, she folded her hands in her lap, purposely avoiding my gaze.

"How did you know that I was going to go for your eyes?" She mumbled, more to herself than me.
Shit.
That was such a stupid mistake. I wasn't used to hiding my ability since I've never had to. And now she's suspicious. Great.
As though she needed more questions.

"First tell me if you agree to the bargain. Then I'll answer your questions." I said cautiously. I was going to have to be more careful with my words around her.
"All?" She pressed, green eyes intense.
I groaned. She wasn't going to give up, and maybe, if I told her the whole truth, she'd help us.
Her knowledge of the kingdom would definitely come in handy.

"Yes."

She held out her hand, and I scooted closer. I gently took it and examined the flaking skin, before opening the vial and applying the pale green ointment. She immediately relaxed, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned back.

I rubbed the soothing cream into her wrists, unable to tear my eyes from her face. The urge for her to open those emerald eyes of hers and look curiously at me like she always did was overwhelming.

I swallowed, focusing back on her smooth, pale hands. They were entrancing- like everything else about her. I gave them a light squeeze, and her eyes shot open like she'd been electrocuted. She pulled her hands back, and for a second, there was a weird ache in my chest, but I dismissed it.

Backing away, I stood. "So, would you like to leave this 'boiling pit'?" I asked, quoting her description. She nodded eagerly and got up, anticipation shining in her clear gaze. I held out my hand, and she hesitated a split second before taking it firmly.

I tried to ignore the way her soft skin felt against mine, and turned to face her, a serious expression on my face.
"This might be a little upsetting. You sure you're ready?"

She nodded again, seeming too excited to speak. I cocked an eyebrow, and she rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm ready to leave this horrible place." She said casually. Too casually. I would bet Eryx's life that she felt anything but casual.
Then again, I would bet Eryx's life on anything, including the fact that she might throw up on me.

That was a risk I was going to have to take.

"Okay then. Let's go."