He laughs harder.

She smiles.

His laughter fades eventually. He grows quiet.

James stays put and doesn't say anything.

Well that's... interesting. "I thought you didn't want to hurt anyone."

"I don't. But I'm not..." He trails off; shakes his head. "There will be times when it'll hurt too much and I won't care."

"That... does seem plausible," she says.

"If I ask you not to come here when I'm like that, are you going to ignore me?"

"I think I can decide for myself when I do and don't want to talk to you."

"I'll just feel worse about it afterward."

"I forgive you in advance."

"And you say you respect my threat," Winter snorts. "Tell me that again after I've had a go at you."

"All right, I will."

"...Are you that sure you can hurt me worse than I'm expecting?"

"Yes! This isn't a happy children's story. You are not protected by the power of your inward goodness. And I've not been—" He sighs. "It doesn't matter. You'll find out or you won't. I hope you don't."

"I don't know where you're getting these ideas about my belief in the power of my inward goodness."

...He laughs. "That's fair."

She smiles slightly. "I could bring you some books," she adds. "For something to do that isn't sit and think about how unhappy you are."

"Oh, as you please, your majesty," he says with a deliberate lightness.

"It pleases me to do the best I can for all my subjects."

"Yes, you've made that clear."

James sighs. "I'll just go get that map for you before you change your mind, shall I?"

"A wise king hath Narnia."