Page 125 of The Wishing Game

"That is for you as well." He pushes the bar back to me. "You are human, and as such weaker. I have plenty of strength," he proudly explains.

Who said Ze doesn't have a way with words?

As I silently eat, he watches me from the corner of his eye. He opens his mouth and closes it a few times before he finally utters the most shocking words, "You did well today."

I stop eating, my eyes widening.

"Did you... Did you just compliment me?"

He shoots me a warning look.

"For a human," he adds.

"Nah." I shake my head in amusement. "You said I did well. Period. You can't just change it."

"Yes, I can. They are my words and I can do as I like with them."

"Which you clearlyalwaysdo." I fight the urge to laugh.

"Precisely. You can take it or leave it."

"My, but if the mighty Ze said I did well today, then I shall count myself forever grateful that he has decided to bestow such a rare and marvelous compliment on this unworthy subject," I add sarcastically—knowing full well it's not a language he's fluent in.

"Indeed." He nods, pleased. "You are a fast study, human."

My facial muscles are betraying me as a snort escapes my lips. I slap my hand over my mouth, but I'm unable to stop the incoming fit of laughter.

"You are mocking me?" Ze leans back, his horrified eyes on me.

"Mocking? You? Of course not." I wave my hand. "I'm...p-praising you."

He stares at me for a few more moments before he nods, seemingly mollified by my words.

"You are an odd human." He tsks to himself.

"I shall attempt to do better." I incline my head in a half-bow.

He swings his sharp gaze to me. I swallow, unmoving. Slowly, his lips curl up. Mine do, too. We just stare at each other, amusement hanging between us.

"Finish your food," he grumbles, the hint of a smile still painted on his lips.

"Yes, sir," I add immediately.

He shakes his head, his lips spreading further into a full-on smile.

I take another bite from my bar, watching him curiously.

"You said you've never been to my world, but have you ever been tootherworlds?"

"I have. It is the nature of my position to go where duty calls," he replies smoothly.

"What do you do when you're not fighting demons then?"

"What do you mean?" He frowns.

"Do you have any hobbies?"

"Hobbies? What is that?"

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