Page 231 of The Wishing Game

"You have no idea how long we've been working on this dress." She swallows, a sob lodged in her throat. "It was supposed to be special. Aethon was supposed to see me in it and..." She squeezes her eyes shut.

"Aethon?" Ze swivels, raising a brow at her. "Why are you bringing up my general?"

"Don't worry about it, Ze. It's nothing."

He doesn't listen to Thea, striding to Wyn and looming over her.

"If she has information about Aethon, I must know it."

"She doesn't. She?—"

"I'm going to be his mate," Wyn declares, bringing the back of her hand to wipe her tears. "Aethon will be mine. Just you wait and see.Allof you," she states confidently as she glances at Elora.

"You are going to be Aethon's mate?" He raises a brow at her before he gives a dry laugh. "You are not very bright, are you? Just like your"—his gaze strays to Thea—"sister."

"Ze, please don't." I pull on his sleeve, whispering in a low voice. "You promised you'd be nice."

He pauses for a moment, deep in thought.

"I do not recall such a promise. My vow did not include that." He clicks his tongue, his gaze boring into Wyn.

Elora and her friends take advantage of this moment to slither past us and run out of the shop, but not before promising retribution for her hair—I assume also the humiliation. "My father will hear of this," Elora yells as the bell rings again to announce their departure.

Ze doesn't bat an eye at the threat. In fact, I'm surprised he let them leave so easily.

Maybe there's still hope for him...

"Tell me what you know of Aethon!" he demands sharply. "When did you last see him?"

"I..." Wyn bites her lip, blinking slowly.

"Leave her alone, Ze. She's just infatuated with him. He barely knows she exists," Thea intervenes.

"Is that so... I suppose that makes sense since the Supremes have already found a mate for him. If he is not already dead, that is."

Thea appears to be surprised by his words while Wyn looks stricken.

I retract my words. There is absolutely no hope for him.

"W-what?" Wyn's eyes widen, her lips trembling with fear.

"Don't listen to him." Thea pats her on her shoulder before turning to glare at him. "Stop this, Ze. Aethon can't be dead. He's as strong as you are."

He smirks. "Debatable."

"Ze," I groan.

He pulls me closer to him, keeping me glued to his side as his arm slides over my shoulders.

"What are you talking about? Why would Aethon be dead?" Wyn asks in a shaky voice. Tears cling to her lashes and she's on the verge of breaking down. If the fight with Elora didn't rattle her as much, this most certainly will.

"Ze, can't you just let this go? For bonus points?" I suggest, hoping he'd take the bait and leave the poor girl alone. Her dress is already destroyed. She doesn't need to find out that her crush is missing in action, or worse, that he already has a mate waiting for him when he gets home.

Ze's lashes flutter and he finally gives me his full attention.

"Extra points? Will you give me extra points again?"

I nod.

---