As we drive on, our banter continues, the tension in the car gradually lifting.
The hum of the engine is a gentle purr that vibrates through the leather seats. I stretch out in the back, enjoying the spaciousness as Aksel’s prized car eats up the miles.
I can’t help but marvel at how the dynamics have shifted between us. It wasn’t so long ago that one wrong word could ignite Aksel’s temper like gasoline to a flame. But now, here we are, cracking jokes and sharing laughs.
“Hey, Aksel,” Griffyn drawls, each syllable dripping with mischief, “Can we listen to the radio?”
Aksel’s grip on the steering wheel tightens, his gaze flickering to the rearview mirror where it meets mine. “What did you do, Griffyn?” There’s an edge to his voice, a dark note that speaks of his attachment to the car.
“Relax, it’s just a little fun,” Griffyn assures, though his grin suggests otherwise. “Check your favorite radio station.”
With a reluctant push of a button, the car fills with the sound of… yodeling? I stifle a laugh as Aksel’s face contorts with confusion and irritation. Every preset station now belts out a chorus of alpine vocals, each one more ludicrous than the last.
“Damn it, Griffyn!” Aksel barks, the humor struggling to break through his crankiness. “My entire playlist is yodeling? This was so stupid.”
“Sometimes it’s the little things,” Griffyn chuckles, clearly pleased with himself.
I can’t hold back anymore; laughter erupts from deep within, bouncing around the interior. Aksel’s scowl only amplifies my amusement, and I clutch my stomach, shaking with mirth.
“Seriously, Griffyn, my car isn’t one of your playthings.” Aksel’s protest is half-hearted, though, and even as he tries to glare at Griffyn, the corners of his mouth twitch upward. It’s a testament to how our dynamics have shifted.
“Come on, admit it, you were bored of the same old tricks,” Griffyn teases, reaching over to pat Aksel’s shoulder.
Aksel growls.
“Hey,” I begin, changing the subject. “You guys think Blaze is gonna make any more moves to square things with Anna? The coffee maker and show were pretty smart.” I glance at Aksel through the rearview mirror, noting the subtle tension that creeps along his jawline at the mention of Blaze.
Aksel’s hands grip the steering wheel tighter. “Blaze knows he screwed up. He needs to make a real apology with words soon.”
I nod. “Anna’s got a heart big enough to forgive, but that doesn’t mean she should always have to.”
“Her forgiveness isn’t a weakness,” Aksel says quietly, almost to himself. “It’s strength. Maybe the strongest thing about her. We are all lucky.”
“I think he will make his apology soon. He’s always staring at her and he clearly loves her,” Griffyn says.
We pull up to the house and the engine purrs to a halt.
“Finally,” Griffyn exhales, his voice cutting through the silence that had settled over us. With a fluid motion, he’s out of the car before I can even unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Hey, wait up!” I call out, scrambling after him, but he’s already at the door, his hand on the knob, ready to burst into the house.
“Anna’s gonna love this one,” he throws over his shoulder, and I can almost see the devilish grin without having to look directly at his face.
“Probably,” Aksel mumbles.
I leave Aksel to get the mage out of the trunk and go inside.
“Anna!” Griffyn calls out, his voice bouncing off the walls.
“Up here!” Her reply floats down the staircase.
He bounds up the stairs two at a time, and I trail behind, slower.
“Guess what your favorite incubus did to Aksel’s car?” Griffyn announces as he reaches the top, his voice rich with triumph.
I enter just in time to see Anna’s eyes widen, a mix of amusement and apprehension playing across her heart-shaped face. “You should have waited until I was there!”
Anna is staring at me in all my naked glory. Reluctantly I grab a pair of pants and cover up.
