Paz let out a soft snort. “Liar.”
His comment activated some weak spot within me. I trudged deeper into the den where I could put Paz to sleep peacefully. I placed him on the panthar fur blanket and wrapped him up.
“Are you comfortable?” I asked.
He nodded lazily. “Are you gonna stay with me?”
The tendrils in my ribs tightened. I put a hand on my chest, but it did nothing to dispel that twisty, novel feeling.
I spoke past the nervous lump in my throat and asked, “Do you want that?”
Inside, I was hesitant. I was afraid of his answer—nobody chose to be around me of their own free will.
Paz rubbed his eyes and yawned. “It’d be nice...”
I sucked in a breath. Hewantedme to stay.
I had never been wanted before. It was intoxicating, like cool water on a scorching day.
“Then I will stay,” I said gruffly.
A smile brightened Paz’s face. Whenever he made that expression, my insides felt ticklish and strange. I was still wary of his claimnotto have powers. I needed to learn more about Paz—about all humans.
I sat down carefully beside Paz. I’d never been so aware of my bulky body, and how it interacted with others. The tiny human forced me to think about such things.
Paz blew out a breezy sigh as he rested his head on my arm. I kept still so I didn’t disturb him.
I cleared my throat. “Your powers. Describe them.”
He snorted in amusement. “How many times do I have to tell you Idon’thave powers?”
“I don’t believe you,” I stated. “Humans are a gifted species. You’re not telling the truth.”
Paz arched one of the two furry lines on his forehead. “Humans can do a lot of things, but unfortunately, mystical spells are not one of them.”
“Then what is this feeling?” I demanded, slapping a hand to my chest.
Paz glanced at my chest, then back to my face. “What kinda feeling?”
I huffed an irritated breath through my nostrils. “I don’t know. It’s different.”
“Is it bad?”
I paused to think about it. “No,” I grumbled.
Paz watched me closer. “Is it agoodfeeling?”
I went quiet. It was difficult to put into words. Everything felt too jumbled and raw and strange. But it was not bad. Could it be good instead?
“Maybe,” I admitted.
A mischievous light glinted in Paz’s eyes. “Kur’tok, have you ever liked someone before?”
“No,” I spat. “Everybody is stupid. They annoy me.”
Paz nodded towards the opening of the den. “C’mon, what about Haz’rull and Arr’tow?”
“I already told you they are not my friends,” I snapped.
