If looks could kill, the one I gave him would have at least made him uneasy. Michael had warned me River liked to wind people up; I would not be his passive victim.
‘What did she think of me, then?’ he asked, straightening as he walked alongside me.
Ah. His image. His pride. He handed me a loaded gun; it would have been a shame not to use it.
I pretended to hesitate and shuddered. ‘You don’t want to know.’
His smirk fell, and his shoulders tensed as if bracing for a lash. He stepped in front of the door and pushed me to answer.
I feigned sympathy. ‘Apparently, you look more frail than your ancestors…’
His mouth fell open, and I slipped past him into the castle with a suppressed grin. If he wanted to tease me, I would take great pleasure in returning the favour.
Chapter Eighteen
Avari
‘Frail.’ The walls practically shook as he spat the word like it burnt him. ‘Is that what she said? I’m twice your size. How am I frail?’
I couldn’t help it; I laughed. ‘Well, that doesn’t mean much. Didn’t you say I looked pathetic?’
‘That’s not what I—’ He dragged a hand through his hair and groaned. ‘Back to the matter at hand.’
Watching him unravel gave me far too much satisfaction. Each deepening frown made victory taste sweeter.
‘Oh, don’t beat yourself up. We’re all frail compared to those beasts.’ I patted his back and kept walking, knowing that ignoring him would only make it sting worse.
‘What? No. I’m not frail.’ He stomped as if to show his weight all the way to the dining room. ‘She didn’t say that, did she, little witch?’
The table was already set, dinner laid out and steaming. I sat down and smirked. ‘I said what I said.’
Michael appeared soon after, settling across from us just in time to catch his brother sulking.
‘Indeed,’ River muttered, folding his arms. ‘Indeed. Whether it’s what she said is my concern.’
‘Concern?’ Michael leaned in, amused. ‘About what?’
River ignored him, eyes fixed on me. ‘What exactly did she say, princess?’
Michael joined in, his grin wide. ‘Yes, princess, what did she say? And who is she, exactly?’
I struggled not to laugh at the dramatic pout on River’s face. ‘Well,’ I began, ‘your brother’s a little offended because my dragon thought him… microscopic. Maybe calling you fun-sized would sting less?’
The king leaned back with a chuckle as he reached for his water. ‘Microscopic, huh? You'd be surprised how fun-sized I can be.’ He winked, and heat rushed to my cheeks before I could stop it.
This did not go to plan; he was supposed to whimper in displeasure, not tease me with pleasure.
Michael, ever the traitor, was quick to pile on. ‘Would you look at that? You've made the princess blush. Those rosy cheeks suit you.’
‘I am not red.’ I pressed my palms to my face and winced at the heat. Both of them laughed while I fanned myself with a napkin.
River's grin widened as he watched the effect his words had on me, clearly pleased with himself. ‘Hot and bothered looks good on you, witch.’
‘I am not,’ I snapped, feeling myself overheat. ‘Maybe focus on your dinner, you Lilliput.’
‘Lilliput?’ he repeated, clutching his chest in mock outrage. Michael’s laughter echoed through the room.
River only smirked before focusing on food. ‘Keep your secrets for now. I’m a big boy; I’ll get them out of you eventually.’
