And that is my cue to drop the subject. I can understand that a stickler for rules like Ze would disapprove of Thea for her past mistakes, but I don't see why he'd carry such a grudge for centuries. He really doesn't like her. And that in turn makes any conversation that mentions her uncomfortable. He might be my friend, but Thea is my friend, too, and I don't badmouth any of my friends.

We remain on the sidelines as I continue to silently eat my chocolate. Ze is faithfully by my side, his hand on my shoulder as he keeps me close to him, looming over me with his imposing height.

Yet even as we keep to ourselves, it's easy to see that Ze acts more or less as a repellent to everyone in the ballroom. There's a danger zone of a couple of meters radius that no one dares to cross, just because Ze is there. The space around us is eerily empty considering the ballroom is packed. And the few people whose gazes stray to us quickly look away and pretend to busy themselves with something else.

"I hate people," Ze grumbles when a couple scurries away, careful not to breach the danger zone. All the while, the man warns his date not to look at Ze—loud enough that even I can hear him.

"I think I hate people too," I mumble, once more incensed on his behalf.

"Do you want more chocolate?" he asks when he notices my almost empty plate.

"No. I'm full," I add absentmindedly as he takes the plate from me.

He nods slowly, but he doesn't take his eyes from me.

"Would you like some ale or wine?"

I shake my head, the taste of alcohol immediately inundating my mouth.

"No. I'm good," I mutter, doing my best not to retch.

"Juice?"

I shake my head again.

"Water?" he continues.

"No, thank you."

"Hot chocolate?"

Now, that gets my attention. And not because I want some—I've had enough chocolate, thank you very much. But because Ze is being odd.

Turning to look at him, I note his brows bunched together as he studies me.

"What do you want then? Tell me and I shall get it for you."

"I don't want anything."

"You must want something. Tell me. Whatever it is, I will get it for you." He lays his hands on my shoulders in assurance.

"I'm serious, Ze. I don't want anything. But thank you for asking."

"Not even a cow from your world? I could get you one—just the meat this time. It might take me a bit longer to go to your world and return, but I can bring it to you in...ten minutes?"

"Ze." I blink. "What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly bent on getting me something?"

He pauses, watching me with trepidation as he bites his lower lip.

"You do not want anything?"

"No. I told you."