"I don't know," Adam replied truthfully. "But that doesn't give me the excuse not to help if I see you in pain. If I judged you every time you fell, thinking 'What if this is the King playing a trick on me?' then at some point, I won't be helping you when you really need it because I'll be too busy doubting you."

He gave a shrug and a shy smile. "It's gotta be the real you at some point, right?"

Example? Now would be nice. He glanced at his shoulder. "It doesn't really hurt at the moment, Billy. I'll be fine once the battle is over."