Page 136 of Heimlock

With a slightly petulant glare, he says, “Yes …”

“How will it make you feel when they’re gone and no longer needed?”

Trinte contemplates the question. “Relieved.”

“And all you did was donate jackets. Inanimate objects with no meaning applied other than what you’ve given them, right?”

Shaking his head, Trinte smiles. “How have I gotten so lucky?”

I sit back with a smirk. Motioning to the dragon, I say, “By earning it. Just try it out, Trinte. It might be more helpful than you think.”

He grumbles as he starts writing again. And continues to write. I’m trying to give him privacy, but when he turns the dragon to write on the other side, I’m stunned to see so many names. Not just his father's — women’s names, too. He’s resurrecting unspoken pains, his hand flying over the blue paper mache.

While he scrawls, I ask conversationally, “Do you happen to have the addresses for any of these people?”

He looks up. “Huh?”

“I mean, I’m not saying I’ll murder some of them, but—”

Trinte’s expression flattens. “You’re not murdering women I’ve slept with.”

I look at the dozens of names. “You sure some of them won’t be missed?”

A muscle feathers in his jaw as he returns to his task.

“Forgive a girl for asking to avenge her partner,” I mutter, huffing out in frustration.

Trinte’s eyes meet mine again, probably hung up on the word ‘partner,’ but he looks away quickly, clearly on a roll. I cross my arms, watching him write name after name. Thank the goddesses I’m secure in my position with him, because a girl would have a complex at the amount of names.

When he recaps the marker, I ask, “Did you really buy this many jackets?”

Trinte groans. “You’re never letting that go, are you?”

“If you buy me a hoodie, just for me, and not from the depths of a hallway closet, I might tone it down.”

“Fine. I’ll buy you a hoodie.”

“Two.”

“Two hoodies.”

“Three.”

“The third can be one of mine.”

I scoff. “I already own all of those.”

Trinte laughs, shaking his head. “How are you both a blessing and a curse?”

I smile sweetly, batting my eyelashes. “Because Fortuna has a sense of humor.”

Trinte stands, grabbing his dragon. “Indeed, I believe you are correct.” He looks around. “What now?”

I grab my heart and point to an open area where people are slowly forming a circle. “Now is the optional activity before burning.”

His mouth twitches. “Optional activity?”

I forge ahead, knowing full well he’s going to show stubbornness in five seconds. “Yes, people have the opportunity to share what they’ve written, if they want.”