“Likewise. Is that seriously as fast as those tiny things you call legs can go?” he grumbles to himself in annoyance.
“Sorry, not all of us are blessed with legs the size of mountains and feet the size of small livestock.” I roll my eyes at him andclench my fists to keep from hitting him across the back of the head, which I’m honestly not so opposed to at the moment.
“Blessed, huh?” His voice raises an octave in question. I almost pick up on a hint of a smirk, but it’s gone just as fast.
“Pig!” I scoff.
“Better than Death Reaper,” he mumbles under his breath.
“Death Reaper it is then, sir.” I add extra umph to the word sir, dragging it out longer than necessary.
“Don’t call me sir.” His voice turns deathly serious.
“What shall I call you then?” Thinking to myself, I excitedly raise my hand. “Ooo, I know. His royal pain in my ass? No, even better: the bane of my existence?” I’m shocked at my outburst, my temper getting the best of me, which rarely happens. I just can’t help it around him, though, and this annoying shit knows exactly his effect on me and is wielding it like a bloody weapon.
“My name is only for people of importance, which you are not.” Giving me no time to respond, he adds, “Why don’t you have a last name?”
“My last name is only for people ofimportance,and I’m afraid you just missed the cut.” I throw his exact words back at him as punishment, adding my signature glare.
He growls under his breath, sounding more animal than human. “Hade,” he states.
“What?”
“My name. Now, why don’t you have a last name?” he pushes again.
“Why do you care so much?” I scoff.
“I don’t.” He throws back defensively. It’s then I realize I may be equally getting under his skin, which I don’t think he’s particularly used to.
I raise my eyebrows in mocking. “Then why ask at all?”
“Just answer the damn question, Nyxi! How does one have no last name?”
I can feel his temper growing short, like a fuse ready to blow. Hearing my name roll off his tongue in a sharp tone makes my skin break out in full body hives. I’m playing with fire here, but for some reason, I can’t seem to stop myself from poking.
“Seems a lot like you do care.” I pair the statement with my fakest smile for good measure.
“NYXI!” My name smokes out of his mouth like a dragon breathing fire.
“Yes?” I ask innocently, batting my eyelashes at him.
“I have zero patience for games. You can learn that lesson the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours. Now, tell me,” he seethes.
“Admit you care, and I will.” I’m testing his limits right now, and I can feel the end nearing.
“Hard way it is.” He turns around so fast, I crash into the brick wall that is his body. He grabs me with ease, throwing me over his shoulder like I’m a sack of potatoes, and continues walking.
“Put me down!” I scream, slamming my fists on his back. Holy Empress, this man is a solid wall that physically hurts as I continually assault him.
“I told you, I have zero patience for games. Now, you have to live with your choices. Plus, you’re slower than watching paint dry.” He sounds like a rabid animal trying to remain in control.
Shit, maybe I took it too far this time.
“PUT. ME. DOWN. I’ll scream louder if you don’t,” I threaten.
“Don’t care.”
“You’re insufferable,” I huff against his back.
