It always wants attention.What is it?
I’m…sad.
A bitter laugh slips from me.You’re sad? You? You don’t have emotions.
I do. I have plenty.
I swipe a hand down my face, wiping away the mist that clings to my skin, and turn from the window. I take the glass back to the chaise and plop down, feeling the cushion bend beneath me.
And what could you possibly be sad about? The fact that you’re not letting me sleep?
I resent that,it says quietly.I let you sleep.
I bark a laugh.You’re the one who won’t stop talking. What do I have to do to get some rest? To quiet you? You haven’t talked this much since you first became part of me.
There’s a sharp silence then, but it’s charged as both of us remember that day—all the blood, the agony, and how we were joined together.
The scar on my chest itches. I resist the urge to scratch it and instead drop my head back and close my eyes. I rest the glass on the floor and exhale a heavy breath.
Did you forget that I’m sad?
“No!” I yell, bolting up. “What in the world do you have to be sad about? What could make you sad?”
It sniffles as if I’ve hurt its feelings. This is so much worse than it talking about revenge. It’s gone soft on me.
You shouted,it says timidly.
I open my eyes just to roll them.And?
And it hurt my feelings.
Oh my God. I might just jump out my window to get some peace.Do you want an apology?
No. I want you to find her.
Her. Just imagining that woman today makes my body come alive.
I knew you liked her.
I don’t like her,I correct.
She makes me happy.
You don’t even know her.
But we want to.
What about revenge?I ask.
Who can think of revenge when she’s in the world, just waiting for us to ride up on a black stallion and save her from the tower she’s locked in. I've lived for millennia, Eryx. Seen kingdoms rise and fall. Watched empires crumble. And not once—not once—have I been this intrigued with anyone.
I think it’s lost its mind.First of all, she’s not locked away. She was out.
That’s a moot point,it argues.
Secondly,I continue,we don’t have a stallion.
Oh, but you could make one out of darkness and nightmares. Wouldn’t that be fun?
