His answer came in the form of silence, and his body pressing firmer against mine, allowing himself to relax.
We stayed there, neither of us speaking. I watched the soft strands of white hair fall over his brow. He watched me with that maddening calm that made me forget how utterly broken the world was.
Eventually, reality intruded; the distant clank of armor being strapped on, orders being barked, and the scent of cooking and wood burning.
Malakai didn’t move.
“We have to get up,” I said gently.
A low sigh escaped him as his arms slithered tighter around me. For a brief moment, I thought he was going to protest, before he heaved us both up.
By instinct, my arms wrapped around his neck, until he was standing and his smug eyes met mine again.
“Put me down,” I demanded, wiggling my legs in his grip.
“Oh, I’m sorry, you’ve reached the limit of your daily requests,kitten,” Malakai snarked at me, as he tossed me over his shoulder and casually held me with one arm.
“Excuse me?” I huffed, sending a balled hand into his shoulder.
“You’re excused.”
“The day just started!?” I barked, kicking my legs wilder.
“That makes youunlucky,” Malakai chuckled, readjusting his grip of me as he began walking. In an instant, flames erupted around me, burning fierce and untamed, like a beast finally let out of its cage.
“So scary,” Malakai said amused.
I saw several soldiers staring wide-eyed at us as we passed through, my cheeks heating as a result. In some of their eyes, we were probably the very definition of frightening; a fire mage, the first in a long time, and a half-demon with blood magic.
We were already a spectacle.
Fine, two could play that game.
I lifted my head just enough for the nearest onlookers to lock eyes with me. “Relax, everyone. He only acts like this when he’s craving attention.”
A few snorts barely disguised as coughs sounded and Malakai’s stride faltered just a fraction.
Victory.
I patted his lower back with mock sympathy. “Don’t worry,sweetheart. If you need attention, you can just ask like anormal person.”
He slowed, but didn’t stop. Even without words, it was clear I was playing with a predator.
“Oh, I’m asking,” he drawled, voice low and rich enough to make my pulse trip. “I’m just not using words.”
The implication landed a half-second before I could brace for it.
Oh.
Two nearby soldiers turned away so fast they nearly tripped over each other.
He smirked. I didn’t have to see it; Ifeltit.
Enough.
I lowered my voice, tapping a finger against his back in a playful rhythm.
“Though if this is the kind of stunt you have to pull just to keep my attention…” I clicked my tongue. “Can’t imagine how you’ll cope when I start ignoring you on purpose.”
