Page 404 of Flirting with Darkness

Miles. Too many to count. More brambles, more rips in my dress, and now my feet are sore. So sore I might have been walking for a week.

The two of us haven’t spoken a word since the stream.

But for each mile, each rend in my dress, a new question blooms in my mind until I’m bursting with them.

I wanted to travel the rest of the way in silence. He deserves no less for slinging such rude character judgments at me.

However accurate they might be.

But the questions refuse to stay silent.

“Why did—”

He cuts me off with a haughty stare, and I remember we aren’t alone in this wood. I have to work to tamp down the memory of dread, of clacking and gnashing, and speak directly to his mind.

Shouldn’t they yield to your kingly power?I snipe, my voice in his head just as coarse as it would have been coming from my mouth.

They do. It’s why you aren’t dead, for all that you don’t belong here. I’m asking you not to make my job more difficult, human.

The way he spits out “human” like it’s an insult, an affliction I’ll never overcome, makes me stop short and dig the nails of my free hand into my palm. When he stops as well, I stare him dead in the eye.

If I’m such a burden, such a lesser being, why don’t you just execute me now and have your justice? Mete out whatever retribution suits you and save yourself the task of keeping the beasts that stalk your horrific woods at bay.

Something flashes in his eyes. Anger, confusion, hurt… It’s there and gone too quickly.

Do you think I want this? Do I seem pleased to you?

I cross my arms, removing my hand from his elbow.I wouldn’t know, would I?

He grabs my hand, but instead of putting it back on his arm, he holds it between his.I’m not, Liesl.

I try to pull it away, but his hold is fast.

Stop pulling away from me.

My gaze narrows, and I’m not sure if he’s speaking literally…

Or if he means something else entirely.

Little bird, I don’t want to have to—

I double my effort, yanking my hand away.You don’t want to waste the effort to save me if your Hell-woods eats me? Is that it?I’m yelling in his mind, but the effect isn’t as satisfying as it would be with my voice.

He reaches for my hand again, but I sidestep him.

Just send me back, demon! I’m clearly burdensome, so just relieve yourself of my extra weight.

That’s not what I was going to—

No?

No, and if you would just listen—

Why should I listen to you? All you’ve done is insult me. My intelligence, my beliefs, my race. Why would I care to hear anything that comes from your lying mouth?

His eyes darken, narrowing on me.You’re a stubborn mule.

The night hazes red, and my pulse pounds in my ears as I raise my hand and smack him. Hard, right across his beautiful face.

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