However, without a device like the one at the War Department, I have no way to properly assess my level.
“I can’t believe today is finally over,” Moe says quietly as we make our way back to the room.
In our attempt to escape the throngs of warriors, we’d run so far off into the realm that we almost lost our way back. Multiple wrong turns later—mostly due to the fact that all the ruins look the same—and we’re finally on the right path.
“For a moment there I thought we weren’t going to make it,” I tell her honestly.
She gazes up at me and moves closer, nestling in the crook of my arm.
“I knew we’d make it.”
I raise a brow at her.
“You don’t have to lie to me.”
“I’m not. It’s the truth. I trust you and Iknewyou would prevail.”
“You have too much trust in me,” I mutter under my breath. Though that does bring a smile to my face.
“Wait.” She pulls her hand away and stops walking.
I glance back at her. She’s watching me through narrowed eyes, her eyebrows bunched together.
“If you didn’t think were going to make it… Is that why you kissed me?”
My lids flutter in confusion at her question.
“Is that why I?—”
She places her hands on her hips and taps her foot against the hard surface of the ground. “Yes, do tell, Nyk. Is thatwhyyou kissed me?”
“I mean, yes,” I say truthfully. “But?—”
I don’t get to finish my sentence because she storms towards me, stops by my side long enough to stomp on my foot before running towards the room on her own.
For a moment I don’t move, completely confused about what just happened.
What did I say wrong? Why did she hate my answer so much?
It doesn’t make sense! Did she want me to lie to her and say no?
Shaking my head, I start running after her.
“Moe, wait up!”
She doesn’t. She looks back just enough to give me a deadly stare before she increases her speed.
Our accommodation comes into sight, and before I can catch up with her, she disappears inside the room.
“Moe!”
I enter the room at full speed and do not even notice the bench blocking the doorway until my shin slams into it.
Pain explodes through my leg and I start cursing like a sailor.
The rest of me pitches forward with unstoppable momentum, and I trip over the wooden board in a thoroughly undignified tangle of limbs before crashing face-first onto the stone floor.
The impact knocks the breath from my lungs. For one stunned second, I simply lie there.
