Scrambling off the bed to get dressed, I almost don't notice the imprint on my bed. I carefully pull the blanket off the bed as I study the sheet and pillow with a frown. There's the outline of my body, but there's another outline—particularly on the pillow, there's the impression of another head.

"Nikki?" I whisper, hope blossoming inside my chest.

After the way he disappeared yesterday, I was heartbroken at thinking he might be mad at me. But if he was here... If my dream wasn't just a dream...

"Thank you," I say with a smile, hugging my arms to my chest and imagining it's his embrace instead.

My mood vastly improves as I realize that Nikki likely spent the night with me, holding me in his arms. With a smile on my face, I quickly get dressed and go to meet the others.

"I'm ready," I call out excitedly. "Let's do this!"

"My, my, you're in a terrific mood today, Luce." Thea chuckles.

I nod vigorously.

"I'm very optimistic about this," I say, happily hopping around until I reach their side. Ze's mood, on the other hand, is right about the opposite as he glares at me.

I ignore him as I squeeze between Thea and Cer.

He scowls at Cer, which prompts him to offer his spot to Ze.

"It seems someone didn't sleep very well last night," I quip playfully as I look up at Ze's sour expression.

He narrows his eyes at me.

"I did not," he replies in a strained voice.

"Well, I did, so keep your surliness to yourself, okay?" I smile, skipping about, unable to contain my energy. I'm not about to let him or anyone ruin my good mood.

"Why are you smiling like a fool, human?" Ze barks out.

"Maybe I am a fool." I shrug. "But I'm a happy fool," I say as I stick out my tongue at him.

"Stop smiling," he grits out.

"Nope." I shake my head.

"I forbid you to smile without my approval, human." He stops in his tracks, his eyes shooting daggers at me.

"Good thing I don't need your approval." I wink. Not even his arrogance can make me lose my temper today.

"Human," he growls low in his throat. Coming toward me, he stops just as his chest meets mine. With how tall he is, I need to crane my head back to the maximum to be able to look into his eyes.

"Yes, Sir Sparkles?" I ask innocently.

His cheek twitches dangerously.

I raise a brow at him, daring him to tell me more of what I can and can't do—just to prove him the opposite.

"Stop. Smiling," he repeats.

"Make. Me." I stretch my lips into a wider smile.

Out of nowhere, his hands shoot out, his fingers on the corners of my mouth as he pulls my lips down. His brows are knit together in concentration as he tries to stop me from smiling.