Page 217 of The Wishing Game

"I get cranky and tired, but it doesn't harm me."

He nods, though he still appears troubled by the concept.

"How could you not know this, Ze? It's biology."

"Femalebiology. I do not care for females," he grumbles.

"So you've said." I stifle a smile. "But you do realize this is part of a female's reproductive cycle, no?"

He blinks slowly. His cheeks redden and he looks away.

"Of course I am aware," he mumbles, avoiding my eyes.

Awkward silence descends between us.

"Well, you've healed me. Now where's my chocolate?"

His eyes widen, and he disappears. Not a second passes before he reappears, carrying a plate on which there's a chocolate figurine.

A figurine ofhim. A chocolate Ze.

"Here," he declares proudly as he thrusts the plate toward me.

"You... This is you." I point to the chocolate shape then at him.

He nods, a satisfied smile on his face.

"I found the best chef in all Aperion and I instructed him to make me the best chocolate."

"You asked him to shape it like you, too?"

"Of course." He nods. "So you know I am in earnest."

"Azerius," I sigh.

"Ze," he corrects. "For you, I only want to be Ze."

My lashes flutter at him.

"Ze." I clear my throat. "I don't understand you."

"It is chocolate. You like chocolate," he adds uneasily.

"I do, and this is nice and all, but why? You already told me how little you think of me. Why would you care to bring me chocolate, or a cow, or do all this"—I wave my healed palm—"when it's clear you believe me to be beneath you?"

"What?" His eyes flare with shock. "I would never?—"

"You insulted me. Belittled me. Threatened me and my friends. Why are you trying to be nice now after you were so awful to me?"

"W-what?" he sputters. "I did not insult you. I insulted your actions."

"It's the same thing." I roll my eyes.

"No. It is not. I have told you. You are my person and I am responsible for you. That means I will ensure you make the best decisions. I cannot just sit by and watch you put yourself in danger for inane reasons."

"Ze... Is it so hard to apologize and admit you were wrong?"

"But I was not wrong," he argues, tipping his chin up.

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