Page 84 of For the Strange and Surprising

He blinks rapidly. “Is that a threat?”

“No,” I drawl. “It’s more of a concern.”

“Of course. How silly of me to assume such a thing. I suppose you were worried about rocks launching themselves at me from the forest floor, too?”

“Oh, no. That was a threat,” I admit, scrunching my nose. “You should learn to read the room better, Ecaeris.”

“We were outside.”

I nod in agreement. “And that’s a figure of speech.”

He lifts the glass to his mouth, and I imagine the water gagging him before he can say anything else to me. When he begins to cough, I gape at him.

“Did I do that? Or did you choke on your words?” I smirk at him. “Forget how to swallow?”

“You did that?” he snarls, raging in disbelief. “What the f—”

“Now, now,” Isolde chimes in. “That’s impressive, Ada. We need to start training with the elements soon.”

Ecaeris closes his eyes and takes the deepest breath I’ve ever seen. “That is a good idea. She clearly needs to learn some self-control.”

Isolde pats his hand as she stands. We both mimic her for manner’s sake. It’s still a strange habit to get into, though.

“I’ll be retiring for the night. I’ve had a delightfully amusing dinner,” she teases before kissing Ecaeris on the cheek. “You two enjoy yourselves. Dessert is on the cart if you’d like any.”

“Ada,” Isolde whispers as she leans in to kiss my cheek, too. “A storm is coming tonight.”

She glides away with no explanation of her warning, ditching us in the dining hall to fend for ourselves.

“Dessert?” Ecaeris offers.

“No. Alcohol?” I counter, wanting to relax.

“That’s a terrible suggestion.”

My nostrils flare as I try not to smile. “Is it, though?”

“I’m not drinking with you, Ada. We would either kill each other or—” He stops by the dining hall door, rubbing his face. “Come on. I’ll walk you back.”

After a silent moment, he turns to me with humor dancing in his eyes. “You just choked me.”

“And now I know I have a little control over water, as long as I stay focused.” I purse my lips and glance at him. “That makes me feel less like prey waiting to be grabbed.”

He regards me as we stroll out of the palace and toward the guards’ barracks.

“I’m arranging to have you moved somewhere safer,” Ecaeris confirms. “But it’s going to take a day or two longer to get everything in order.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. It’s only temporary.”

I scowl at his shitty reply, and he scoffs.

“Why are you looking at me like that? You haven’t said if you’re staying or leaving. Your decision makes it temporary or permanent. I can’t figure that out for you.”

“I didn’t ask you to,” I inform him, running my hand through my hair. “But it’s not an easy choice to make.”

“How so?” he demands. “What’s waiting for you on Earth?”