Page 151 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume Two

It wasn’t at all about the sweater. Nikki was enjoying the game of chase, that’s all this was. And Gunter, despite realizing this, couldn’t seem to stop himself from chasing.

Although, really, of all things to grab, it had to be that? The thing needed to be properly washed. While fire dragons didn’t typically feel the cold, there were days when Gunter needed the extra coziness when the skies were dark overhead or if he was feeling a bit lonely or melancholy.

Did Nikki care about that? Not one iota.

Gunter eyed them, moving slowly around the table.

On the other side, Nikki moved the opposite direction like a mirror reaction, carefully watching Gunter with narrowed eyes.

“I can buy you a comfy, warm sweater,” Gunter tried.

“But this one’s all broken in,” Nikki countered. “And available now.”

“It needs to be washed.”

“So I’ll wash it for you. Later. And then give it back.”

“Have you washed things before?”

“Sure.”

“Did they come out intact?”

“I mean, sometimes they shrank down to bunny size. But I’m magical, I can fix it.” Nikki waved their fingers at him like a stage magician.

Gunter did not trust them at all now. He lunged again, this time almost catching the tail end of the sweater.

But alas, no luck. Nikki was faster than Gunter gave them credit for. They were out of reach in a second.

Some prey-drive instinct clicked in Gunter’s head, and the chase was on. They went round and round the table multiple times before Nikki broke for the shelves, darting into the stacks. Gunter was hot on their heels, as they knew this area far better than Nikki.

In seconds, Nikki outmaneuvered themself, and Gunter was quick to take advantage. When Nikki realized their error and the dead end awaiting them, they tried to turn. But Gunter got a hand planted on either side of them, caging them against the bookshelves, a sense of victory pulsing in his veins. Ha! Caught them this time.

“Caught you,” Gunter purred in satisfaction. “My sweater, if you will.”

Nikki did look trapped, their eyes darting about to find an escape route. But it was only for a second, and then that mischief Gunter was coming to know so well peeked out.

Skies above. Now what was going through their head?

Between one heartbeat and the next, Nikki popped up on tiptoes, pressing a kiss right on his mouth. Gunter startled so much he jerked back on instinct.

Nikki instantly took advantage of Gunter’s surprise. Ducking low, they spun free and sprinted off again, a laugh trailing in their wake.

Oh. Oh they did not.

“You’re going to pay for that, mage,” Gunter growled, already chasing after them.

Nikki’s grin was full of challenge, tossed over their shoulder without a care in the world. “You’ll have to catch me, dragon.”

Gunter would catch them, alright. And then pay back the teasing tenfold.

Nikki would not be shown any mercy.

Nor would the flutter of his heart or the twist in his stomach.

Or the preening of his dragon. Stupid old lizard.

Ravi caught Nikki just as they stood from the lunch table, swooping in on them like they were prey. Ravi the hawk. Or dragon, in this case.