Page 189 of Barbi and the Villain

I turn to Nykander.

“What just happened?”

“I think we just got lucky.”

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“If I am correct, that male was Cerenios. He is one of the generals in the Aperite army, and he is the protégé of The God Killer.”

“The God Killer?”

“The ultimate commander of the Aperite army. He is said to be unmatched in strength. And if that was his protégé, I doubt our fight would have ended anytime soon.”

“I suppose it is a good thing he did not question my identity.”

He nods.

“But do not think I did not notice you looking at him,” Nykander suddenly adds, his eyes narrowing at me. He steps to the side to pick up a clean set of clothes—his last one.

“I was just curious,” I reply.

“You also said he was beautiful,” he continues, making a disgusted face.

“Objectively, he was. But then, so was his sister. They were both a good-looking pair.”

Nyk pulls a shirt over his chest and pauses to stare at me.

“More good-looking than me?” He raises a brow.

“My, my, are you jealous, oh my dear Dark One?”

He mumbles something under his breath.

“You are,” I accuse playfully, planting myself in front of him. I arrange the collar of his shirt as an amused smile plays at my lips. “He might have been handsome, but no one compares to you, my good-looking friend. You are the only one whose looks I care about, and the only one I would stare at for an eternity.”

He blinks slowly before a flush creeps up his cheeks.

“You…would?” he asks slowly, uncertainly.

“Yes, Mr. Dark One. You are the only good-looking man for me.”

He nods, satisfied.

“Now it’s your turn,” I whisper as I give him a small nudge.

“My turn?” His brows bunch. “For what?”

“Your turn to tell me I am prettier than that girl. Than any girl, for that matter. That I am the prettiest for you in the entire universe.”

And to accentuate that I mean the entire universe, I extend my arms in an all-encompassing gesture.

He stares at me for a moment, speechless.

“You…are the prettiest?”

“Nyk! Don’t just repeat what I said! Didn’t you hear the way I phrased my compliment? You must do the same,” I tell him.

He scratches the back of his head as he mulls this over.

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