Page 30 of Charming the Dragon
“Well, yes, that’s true. It should be interesting to see which of us wins in a head-on competition.”
He raised his brows. “Are you inventing games to pass the time now?”
“No, but it’s bound to happen at some point. The longer we’re in close quarters, the more likely it is we’re going to butt heads.”
“Let’s hope it’s not a long time,” he murmured.
She nearly asked if he couldn’t stand her. But given how they had to work together and if he said yes she’d hold a grudge,Hayley decided not to ask and changed the subject. “What do you do for fun?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are we really going to ask about hobbies and favorite animals?”
She stuck out her tongue. “Excuse me for wanting to get to know you a little better.”
He stared, and she stared back, watching as his pupils kept flashing between slits and round. Once they stayed round, he sighed. “Sorry. Long day, stress, and all that.”
“Well, there has to be something you do to relieve tension.”
His gaze turned heated a second before he looked away. “I play video games sometimes, or go flying in my dragon form.”
“Can’t say I’ve played video games, at least not since I was little. But I did like the ones where you had to solve puzzles. Are those the kind you like?”
He shrugged. “Usually you have to solve some sort of puzzle or quest in games. There’s one created by dragon-shifters for our own kind, and you can explore certain time periods or legends.”
“What, really? That’d be brilliant. Kind of like a fluffy history lesson.”
“Sort of. Although none of the historical figures breathed fire to kill their enemies like in the games.”
“So, wait, it’s made by dragon-shifters and deliberately wrong?”
“Not wrong, but merely a fantasy. Just like humans can be a superhero or adventurer or a knight of old, but with magic or special powers.”
“Still, I’m intrigued. You’ll have to show me the game later.”
If we get out, was left unsaid.
“We’ll see.” He stood, offered to take her empty pouch and cutlery, and went to clean up. As she watched him wash everything, it hit her that a dustman wouldn’t come and collect their rubbish once a week. “What do we do with our trash?”
“There has to be some place to deposit waste, so we’ll find it. Maybe even through that door you discovered.”
“Well, there seems to be a sewage system in place, so you have to be right. When can we explore the cavern?”
“Let’s find something to keep the door open, grab some supplies, and we’ll take a quick look. If it’s an extensive cave or tunnel system, we’ll come back here and rethink our strategy.”
She stood. “Then I’m going to look in the pantry and start getting things ready. Because if I don’t learn what’s beyond that door, and soon, I’ll go mad.”
He smiled. “I would think a solicitor would have more patience.”
“I do for my job. Most of the time. However, when it comes to seeing the sky again, I’m going to become more impatient by the day.”
“Go on, then. I’m nearly done.”
She nearly rushed off, but stopped, touched his arm, and said softly, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being calm, reasonable, and mostly nice.”
“Mostly, huh?”
