Page 57 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

Add the instructions that I not touch, smell, or taste it myself, and…yeah.

Itbothersme.

So I’ve been teetering between convincing myself Ash is an ent, an Angel’s Trumpet, a toxic plant that might need actual poison in his diet, and convincing myself I’m ignorantly doing something terrible to him.

“You know…” Alexios begins, gently, “…you can talk to Castor about whatever is worrying you. If your questions are the sorts he’s inclined to answer, he can’t lie.”

My stomach tightens. Is Alexios crazy? I can’t be blatantly honest withCastor. As far as he’s supposed to know, I’m thenannyfreeing up his time for other devious schemes. I don’t get to keep my baby. I shouldn’t be so protective of him when he’s notmine.

“He’s not our enemy,” Alexios murmurs.

Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is he’s powerful and manipulative, and I have more than enough experience with people who embody those adjectives.

“We don’t have to go,” I say. “Asking you to take care of Ash defeats the whole purpose of this, doesn’t it? You have moreimportant things to do.”

Castor exhales a laugh. “Your efforts at tactfully saying what you don’t mean are useless against me, Razah. I taste your fear in the air. I hear the apprehension in your heart. I know you don’t trust me. I know you intend to keep my child beyond whatever time you believe I’ve allotted. Whatyoudo not know is that I may let you keep him without so much fuss. As you seem content to flirt with reason, let it stand in your mind that you haven’t a clue what I intend to use Ash for, only that my purpose doesn’t harm him.” Distaste sours his tone. “You will incite my ire quite swiftly if you attempt to exclude me from things that affect me.”

“You…may intend for me to keep Ash?”

“Perhaps.”

My nerves pinch. “Perhapsisn’t good enough.Yesorno. According to you, do I get to keep Ash?”

He tosses his head back against the cushions as he barks a laugh. “According to me?You speak as though you expect your other friends to step in and make sure you get to keep him…when you have no way of knowing whether or not they consider him to be yours…orPila’s.”

“Castor,” Alexios states.

Castor’s tone hardens. “Pick a side, Razah.”

“Castor.” Alexios frees a breath and softens his tone. “We aren’t taking sides.”

“Charming,” he mutters. “And untrue. While you consider yourself neutral in my schemes, you are on your mate’s side. Wherever she falls will define your loyalty. You can’t stay neutral forever, Xios. At some point, there will be a choice to make. And, perhaps when what you’ve done comes to light, depending on how theotherstake it, your side may be chosen for you.”

“We’ll see about that,” Alexios murmurs, icy venom lacing the words. “Unlike you, I amveryadorable and, therefore, quiteforgivable.”

Castor’s head whips so fast toward us, I flinch into Alexios’s body. “Howdareyou.”

Alexios hand braces at my arm. “You scared my snowflake.”

“Pity,” Castor growls. “I’moffendedyou could say what you just did. How can you believe something so—socruel?”

“I can’t change facts.”

“Mayhaps I ought toswallowyou whole.”

“Hark.” Alexios chuckles, darkly. “He’s making my point so well.”

“Matters of appeal are purelyopinion-based.” Castor scowls down at his folded arms. “Snakes are very adorable to many people.”

“Popular belief suggests otherwise. I’m near certain bats would win in a poll.”

“Hammerhead,” Castor sneers.

“Yawning,” Alexios retorts.

Castor bristles, gripping his nails into his arm through the fabric of his robes.

I don’t precisely know what they are talking about, but…it seems we’ve lost the plot. Again.

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