“No,” I snap back, fingers tighten around the railing.
There isnoway I’m letting him lay his hands on me just to haul me across like I’m helpless. I’ll fall before I let that happen.
Muscles locked, air burning heavy in my chest, I force myself upright again. One hand still white-knuckled on the railing. Okay. Manageable. Sort of.
Then I start to lift my hand—the ledge sways, vision double.I drop straight back down.
Across the ledge, Talen groans, throwing his arms up. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Bloom. I don’t have all day. I’ll distract you, you just… walk. Okay?”
I narrow my eyes. “Yeah? With what exactly?”
“I don’t know, aren’t my incredibly good looks enough for you?”
I roll my eyes so hard it’s a miracle I don’t lose balance. “Maybe if I squint hard enough you’ll start to look like someone tolerable.”
“Harsh.” His hand flies to his chest like I’ve wounded him. “I wore my best whites for this.”
I’m not in the mood for games. “Answers. I want answers.”
For a beat he just watches me, grin fading slow. Then he pockets the talisman and folds his arms, all trace of amusement gone. “Fine. But you take a step first.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Dead serious. One step, one answer. That’s the deal.” His hands stay folded as he leans against the wall, eyes never leaving mine.
God, he’s maddening, but I want answers so I curse under my breath and force my gaze past him—to the weather vane above the roof. Not him, not the drop, never the drop.
Okay, one step, just one. The stone grates under my boot as I shift forward, slow and careful, gripping the wall beside me until my fingers burn.
“There.” I say, stopping an inch away from the balcony behind me. “Now talk. Why did you do it? Why did you kiss me? Save my life... twice?”
“Technically, that’s three questions. But I’ll allow it.” He holds it for a second longer than necessary, then finally: “Youintrigueme.” Simple. Too simple, like it costs him nothing. “You’re not the only one with questions,” he adds. “And mine are easier answered with you alive.”
“That’s your answer?” My voice spikes. “You are so?—”
“Charming? Handsome? Infuriating? Pick one.”
“Iintrigueyou is not an answer.”
“Sure it is,” he teases, crooked smile flicking back into place. “Just not the one you wanted.”
My hands curl against the wall before I can stop them. Breathe, he’s just messing with you—don’t let him see he’s getting under your skin. You knew this wouldn’t be clean. Don’t act surprised, don’t show frustration. Just keep moving.
“What's going on with the dragons? Why the attack in the square the other week?”
He shrugs. “Another question, another step.”
I bite down a curse, eyes locked back on the weather vane as I force my boot forward. Stone scrapes under my sole.
“Merrin already told you, juvenile off its migration path.”
“Bullshit.” My voice spikes again. “That thing was no juvenile. It was massive, and everyone knows dragons don’t have black eyes.”
His grin doesn’t move. “Another question, another step.”
Brows pinched, I go to move. But then it hits... why the hell am I playing his game? He’s screwed too. He needs this silence as much as I do. If anyone found out he faked that kiss…
“No. You need me just as much as I need you. If I tell anyone this little romance is fake?—”
