Page 247 of The Wishing Game

"I'll ask him to get your friends, too, if you have any," I tell her as I relate my plan. I'm not sure if she understands me, but she's instantly happier when she hears that she'll go back to her friends.

Alas, my decision is made.

I lay a kiss on the top of her head before I step out of the room, ready to head back to my own.

Luckily, I managed to explain to Thea and her parents that nothing untoward was going on between me and Ze. Knowing Aperion customs, the last thing I wanted was for my hosts to think I was engaging in illicit activities under their roof. I merely explained to them that we'd been cornered by angry s’Aperiotes who'd tried to kill Ze, and upon realizing they were unsuccessful, they decided to throw sweet ice at us. To my relief, they all understood our predicament and assured me they wouldn't hold it against me.

However, that was a few days ago, and I've yet to see any of them since. Even Thea was rather scarce, though that's because she's been helping her sister find another dress for her debut. With a little under a week until the ball, both Thea and Wyn are, understandably, a little highly strung.

People are coming in and out of the place daily, working on decorations and preparing the ballroom for the event.

Since everyone is so busy, I've tried to stay out of their way and keep to myself. Although, with Ze's absence, things have been rather...lonely. Belinda has been the only one to keep me company, and technically...she's not even a person.

I release a weary sigh as I unlock the door to my room and step inside.

Right there in front of me, sprawled on my bed, is Ze. He's wearing the same black ensemble, a long-sleeved black shirt paired with a pair of loose pants held by a thick belt that houses his sword. Sometimes I wonder if his closet consists ofonlythe same clothes.

When he sees me, he tilts his head to the side, his mouth quirking up.

"I have been thinking," he starts nonchalantly as if he hasn't broken into my room.

"Do tell," I add dryly as I close the door behind me and walk to the bed.

"I have accrued one hundred points. I am entitled to a boon."

My jaw falls open as I stare at him dumbfounded. Of all the things... He's gone for an entire week and then he swoops in to tell me he wants his boon? The gall of him. My ire rises as I note his relaxed manner. His arms are behind his head, his legs propped up on the bed frame—of course he'd be too big for my bed. He's sitting there as if he owns the place.

"Is this what you came for? Where have you been in the last week?" I ask him before I can help myself. The moment the words are out of my mouth, heat engulfs my cheeks. That sounded rather...needy. But just as he is entitled to his boon, I'm entitled to know when he's going to suddenly pop up—more like break in—into my room. As that thought arises, I make a mental note for myself to remind him that it's not okay for him to simply barge into my room—or teleport himself or whatever. If a door is locked, it's for a reason. I value my privacy—not that Ze seems to have any notion of what the word means.

His gaze meets mine, an intense look crossing his face.

"You were expecting me?" he asks slowly, his voice gravelly.

"Right, it's my mistake for thinking you'd at least send word that you'd be gone for so long." I roll my eyes.

He blinks slowly as if it just dawned on him that he should have sent word. But then again, I don't think Ze is used to accounting for his whereabouts to anyone.

His entire body tenses, his lips fighting to stay still as the corners of his mouth curl up.

Time freezes as he stares at me, his Adam's apple bobbing up, a mix of awe, satisfaction and fear echoed in his features. Eventually, he swings his legs off the bed and silently walks toward me, stopping when the tips of his feet meet mine. I glance up at him to find him watching me pensively, his brows bunched together.

Reaching into the pocket of his trousers, he takes something out and thrusts it toward me.

"For you," he says as he unfurls his fist to reveal a gold bracelet crowned with a small purple pearl in the middle.

My lips part as a shaky breath escapes me, my eyes instantly arrested by the simple yet beautiful piece of jewelry. At the same time, my brain tries to make sense of the reason behind such an extravagant gift.

When I take too long to speak or react, he clears his throat, grabbing my hand and dropping the bracelet in my palm.

"What is this?" I ask as I brush my finger along the curved surface of the purple pearl. The gold chain is thin and elegant, consisting of small loops tied together by the slightly bigger pearl.

"It is a special pearl. As long as you carry this with you, I will be able to find you anywhere," he explains as he fastens the golden string around my wrist. "I apologize for not informing you I would be away for so long. My mission turned out to be more time-consuming than I previously thought. The situation is getting more dire with the new demon appearances. With Aethon missing, I need to take on more duties than before."

"You're forgiven," I say absentmindedly as I stare at the bracelet. "This is so beautiful, Ze. Thank you," I murmur. "Where did you get it from?"

"I forged it myself, of course," he declares proudly.

My brows shoot up in surprise. I was not expectingthat.

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