"Tell me what you know of Aethon!" he demands sharply. "When did you last see him?"

"I..." Wyn bites her lip, blinking slowly.

"Leave her alone, Ze. She's just infatuated with him. He barely knows she exists," Thea intervenes.

"Is that so... I suppose that makes sense since the Supremes have already found a mate for him. If he is not already dead, that is."

Thea appears to be surprised by his words while Wyn looks stricken.

I retract my words. There is absolutely no hope for him.

"W-what?" Wyn's eyes widen, her lips trembling with fear.

"Don't listen to him." Thea pats her on her shoulder before turning to glare at him. "Stop this, Ze. Aethon can't be dead. He's as strong as you are."

He smirks. "Debatable."

"Ze," I groan.

He pulls me closer to him, keeping me glued to his side as his arm slides over my shoulders.

"What are you talking about? Why would Aethon be dead?" Wyn asks in a shaky voice. Tears cling to her lashes and she's on the verge of breaking down. If the fight with Elora didn't rattle her as much, this most certainly will.

"Ze, can't you just let this go? For bonus points?" I suggest, hoping he'd take the bait and leave the poor girl alone. Her dress is already destroyed. She doesn't need to find out that her crush is missing in action, or worse, that he already has a mate waiting for him when he gets home.

Ze's lashes flutter and he finally gives me his full attention.

"Extra points? Will you give me extra points again?"

I nod.

He stares at me.

"Good. For ninety-one extra points, I shall stop."

"Ninety-one?" I blink.

"I must recover my losses." He shrugs.

"Fine, you got it. Now let's go," I mutter as I try to steer him out of the shop. "Sorry about this." I give Thea a strained smile. "I'll find my way back to the house with Ze. I think you two need some time alone."

Thea nods, her expression worried.

In a lower voice, I whisper, "I think you should tell her that he's missing. She'll be even more disappointed when he doesn't show up for her ball."

She purses her lips, expelling a deep breath.

"You're right. Thank you, Luce. I'll see you later."

I incline my head and, leaving the two of them behind, I drag Ze with me out of the shop.

God, but the man doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. And ninety-one points? That was stretching it and he knows it, especially with the smug smile he has plastered on his face.

FORTY-NINE

The two suns are blazing in the sky, a burning red against clear blue. As the door of the shop closes behind us, we step into the bustling street.