Page 78 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

“Learn a new joke.”

He chuckles, and it’s hard to stay mad at him when he—a man who doesn’t like food—is taking me out to eat at a fancy faerie restaurant.

Sighing, I ask, “What do those crystals mean?”

“They designate a disinterest in further stimulation, like conversations. Here, the shops and restaurants have options for people who want to gooutwithout interacting with thepublic. There are private rooms and kiosks available to limit the sensory burden of leaving one’s home.”

Because I’msuchan extrovert, I cross my arms. “Wow. Can’t relate.”

He shakes his head. “Wouldn’t expect you to.” Offering his hand this time, he says, “I don’t want to lose you in the crowd. The nocturnals are waking. They may find themselves enamored by the pretty star nymph in their midst. What will I do if you get stolen?”

“Save me, duh,” I mutter, narrowing my eyes on his hand. “Isbeing stolenactually a concern in Cael’s kingdom?”

“More shocking things have happened.”

That really isn’t an answer to my question. “I thought you didn’t like being touched.”

“As it turns out, I’m not averse to your touch in the way I am others’.” Backdropped by dimming rays, Alexios looks captured directly from one of my silly dating sims. And I don’t appreciate it one bit. He says, “Please, angel. Spare me an evening of illusion.”

After the rest of today, you’d think I’d be more open to such a request.

Instead, I say, “Sucks to suck,” and march on past him.

I only can’t talk to the people with blue crystal necklaces, right? That, technically, means thateveryone elseis open to conversations, right?

I’ll probably shoot myself if I start talking to someone and they oh-so-slowly put on their necklace, but…well…we will cross that bridge when we get to it, right? An excellent plan if I’ve ever heard one.

“Hi!” I chirp at a woman holding a beautiful cupcake decorated with elaborate frosting roses.

She licks some of the lilac frosting off her lip and beams. “Hello!”

“This is my first time in Winterfeld, and I couldn’t help but notice howamazingyour cupcake looks. Where did you get it?”

Her luminescent wings buzz as she lights up and points at a three-tier building up the road a ways. “Cakes and Rakes! I recommend anything they have with custard. Are you thinking of moving into this community? Welcome, welcome! I could show you around.” She gasps, and her hand lands on my arm. “We could befriends! Come on. I’m not doing anything tonight. Let’s get you a cupcake, and then we can play. What sorts ofthings do you like? Iloveyour hair. Does the green half grow like that?”

I haven’t made a friend this easily since I was five, and—not to brag or anything—but I make friendsveryeasily. Laughing, I touch the cropped and dyed half of my hair. “No, this is a box, sadly. Maybe one day it’ll grow like this, though.” The wicked little desire to ditch Alexios niggles its way into my chest, and I’m almost positive I can convince myself it is an excellent prank when my new friend’s eyes dart past me.

“Oh, Xios!” She waves her cupcake. “Want to join us? We’re heading back to Cakes and Rakes to get another treat. Maybe they’ll let you do more frosting flowers like last time.”

Cool and collected, hands in his pockets, Alexios says, “Good evening, Siella. I’ve some unfortunate news concerning your plans.”

Siella’s moon blue eyes sadden. “You can’t join us? Are you on your way to a job?”

“I’m on a date.” He lifts a hand from his pocket to present me. “With her.”

Siella gasps, splaying her slender fingers in front of her gaping lips. “You’redating? Why, if I’d known you weren’t waiting on your soulmate, I may have propositioned you myself.” Her attention skips to me. “How long do you plan to court? Might I have the next dance?”

“Siella,” Alexios states, “sheismy soulmate.”

Siella’s brows draw together, and utter confusion screws up her expression. “I could have sworn you were barely in this world.”

“On occasion, fate blesses.”

She giggles; it’s musical and friendly. “It would seem so. Why, congratulations, you two! Xios is wonderful. You must be very happy together.”

Before I know how to respond to that one, she’s takinganother bite out of her cupcake and a giant man with green skin on the other side of the street is lifting a hand larger than my head in Alexios’s direction. “Xios!” he booms, crossing to us in, oh, abouthalf a step. “Haven’t seen you at the wood yard recently.”

Alexios’s shoulders sag. “I do remember saying that I never wanted to go back, Helkin.”

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