light and teasing.
“Well, I believe it's the first one. I can't quite decide between anything with anisha spice in it or everything with more than six eyes,” he answered slowly.
I chuckled. That is his answer? “I imagine your trips to Arak are very exciting then.”
He jerked his hand back and shuddered. Then his gaze landed on me as he said, “That isn't very nice. Those creatures creep me out. All those little beady eyes on that fat body. And those spindly little legs…” He shuddered again, likely picturing the enormous spider-like beings that scurried about.
He shook his head and blinked for a few moments before focusing on me once again. Reaching out, he interlaced our fingers and took his turn. “Most embarrassing thing that's happened to you?”
“Really? I don't have very many stories like that. I decided not to be embarrassed anymore. That it was simply a waste of energy that could best be utilized by getting revenge on whoever tried to make me feel that way in the first place. Besides, why would I tell you about it if I'm embarrassed?” I hedged.
“I'll tell you mine in return.”
Hmmm… “I could get that out of Kian if I wished.” A grin tugged at my lips at his expression. He appeared defeated with his frown and faraway look, but then it changed, and a little twinkle entered his eyes.
“I could charm it out of you, of course,” he said.
“Oh, really? I believe that you might overestimate your abilities.” That was a lie. If Axton truly wanted something badly enough, he'd gnaw on the problem until nothing was left. “But fine, though, if I tell you mine, I want yours in return.”
He grinned and leaned back slightly, an air of triumph settling around him. He thinks he won something, does he?
“Besides, I don't really care if anyone knows. I'm sure the story still lingers in the minds of everyone I went to school with. When I was almost nine, my class took a trip to the DNB. One of those 'work hard and you too can be a Grim' things they liked to do,” I said, waving my hand. “Ridiculous things, if you ask me, but I digress. One of the boys in class managed to divert me into one of the halls. Hateful little thing didn't like my accent, apparently—the one I'd picked up from my mother. So, he chased me until I got lost, and he trapped me in a corner. He'd stolen a set of cuffs from his father and used them to lock me inside of an unused office. I remained there until long after everyone went home.”
Axton's brow furrowed, and his frown returned. He shook his head before saying, “I don't understand. How is that embarrassing? Didn't the boy get in trouble? Who found you?”
“Oh, well, the embarrassing part was that I was forced to use the bathroom on the floor beside me, but the children kept taunting me with different names like 'pissy pants,' or they'd just call me a baby. At that age, those words were fighting words. And no, the boy didn't get more than a slap on the hand. We were young, remember? My mother disappeared shortly after that, so none of that mattered anymore anyway.” I paused, smiling as I recalled the end of that story. “Actually, you could say that the boy got in trouble. He was one of my first targets once Master Akai began teaching me. They don't live here any longer after certain things came to light.”
Silence fell between us, blanketing the sparse spot he'd chosen for us. I didn't like it. He seemed to be turning over what I'd said in his mind, looking for things that might be hidden within the simple story.
So, I pushed myself up and knocked him over. His eyes widened as he hit the ground with a grunt.
“What was that for?” he asked as he tried to sit up, but I stopped him, pressing my palm against his chest.
Leaning over him, I bent down until our breath mixed and whispered, “Your turn.”
While I got settled, laying my head over his heart, he relayed his short tale.
“I suppose I do owe you something, don't I? Well, my mother has always called me bitty boop. No matter where we are, who we are around, or how many are listening, she just blurts it out. Not every time, mind you, but enough that I'm never sure when it's coming.” He sighed, and I rose and