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I roll my eyes at his casualness. “Did you come here to actually teach me anything, or were you just so bored that you had to show up at my door to annoy me with your terrible sense of humor?”

“Oh, come now! Can’t it be both? I bring wisdom and bad jokes, the total package.” Ash exclaims, delight dancing on every word. “I mean, who else is going to brighten your day with questionable humor and life-changing knowledge?” he continues, every word laced with a carelessness I admire and loathe. “Really, you should be thanking me.”

I can’t hide the glint of amusement now reflecting in my own face. “The total package, huh?” The words are not as sharp as I want them. “Tell me, does the ‘life-changing knowledge’ come with a refund policy if it turns out to be as bad as your jokes?”

Ash’s smile deepens. “Oof, tough crowd,” he muses, placing a hand over his heart like the words sting. “Nope, no refunds. You get the full experience: delightfully terrible jokes, top-tier wisdom, and my undeniably charming company!”

Ash continues, “I’m a pretty rare find.” He holds up a hand, lifting his fingers as he names off his apparent qualities. “Charm, wit, devastatingly good looks.” He gives a mock bow. “Truly, you couldn’t have asked for a better teacher.”

I can’t contain the annoyance on my face, not that I try to hide it. “Lucky me,” I say flatly, every word laced with sarcasm.

“Ouch.” He clutches his chest again as though I’ve wounded him. “Brutal. But I’ll win you over eventually. My charm is relentless.” He chuckles with an exaggerated sigh. “You’re welcome, by the way. I usually charge extra for the full experience.”

It only takes a few hours for the strain to set in, my muscles aching and energy waning. The lessons are tougher than I’d expected: summoning magic, manipulating elements, pushing myself further than ever before. Surprisingly, Ash watches me with a focus I didn’t anticipate, especially after all his earlier mockery. He only lets the occasional joke slip, careful not to let it break my concentration while keeping his attention locked on my progress.

But even with his well-timed distractions and the stark contrast between his laid-back attitude and Oberon’s teasing intensity, I can’t shake the resentment curling in my gut. He is still here, standing in Oberon’s place. He has been a part of this from the beginning, maybe not the worst of it, but enough. Enough that his easy charm and careless smirks do nothing to change the past.

I hate him for it, no matter how effortless he makes it seem to fall into conversation, no matter how tempting it is to forget, just for a moment, what he is. I’m not stupid. If Ash is willing to talk, then I will let him. If he wants to play the part of an amused instructor, then fine, I will play along. Because somewhere between his arrogance and his clever remarks, there are answers. Answers I need. And if I have to smile through clenched teeth and let him think he is winning me over, so be it.

I am going to use him to find a way out.

By the time the lessons are over, I am exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. My body aches from the strain of the magic, and I am drained, barely able to keep my eyes open.

Ash, however, doesn’t seem tired at all. He packs up his things and stands to leave, but not before asking one more question.

He tilts his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. “So, how long have you been gracing this cabin with your presence?” he teases. “If you have been keeping track, that is.”

I shoot him a look. “Long enough to question my life choices.”

But the question swirls through my mind. It seems simple, but the answer isn’t. I have no idea. I haven’t kept track. Weeks? Months? Time blurs in this place, each day flowing into the next without distinction. I can’t even remember when I last stepped outside, felt the wind, or the sun on my skin. The seasons outside haven’t changed much, so surely it hasn’t been too long.

He grins, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Ah, so my company has been that memorable. I knew it.”

I don’t answer right away. I have no real answer to give him. Instead, I shoot him a sharp look. “What does it matter, anyway?”

He chuckles again, the sound rich with satisfaction, as if my confusion is his favorite form of entertainment. “Seems like it's been a while since you’ve seen the outside world, huh?” He gives me an exaggerated once-over, eyes dancing with playful sarcasm. “Don't worry, I won’t judge you for looking a little . . . starved for fresh air.”

It is a simple observation, but it cuts deep. Before I was locked in here, I hadn’t been allowed outside either. Captivity has become my life. This place, this small cabin, is all I know now.

I glare at him, fighting the rush of emotions that rise inside me. “I’m fine.”

Ash doesn’t seem convinced, but he doesn’t push further, his stare lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. “I’ll see what I can do about that,” he says, his voice smooth, though there is a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I can’t promise anything, but I’m pretty good at getting things . . . done.” He gives me a sly grin, as if daring me to test him. “But don't get your hopes up.”

I snap, my voice cutting through the air. “Are you going to leash me up and take me for a stroll, show me off like some kind of pet?”

His laughter roars out, deep and rich, filling the small cabin and shaking the air around us. It is a sound I haven’t heard in so long, a real, genuine laugh. The kind of laughter that doesn’t carry malice, but warmth. It is a sound I didn’t realize I needed, but once I hear it, I feel the weight in my chest lighten, just a little.

His eyes glint with that same maddening playfulness as he takes a slow step back, his smirk widening. “Now that’s an idea,” he teases, his tone dripping with taunting consideration. “But I think you’d prefer to walk me, wouldn’t you?”

He leans in slightly, the distance between us charged with an unspoken challenge. “Maybe next time,” he adds with a wink.

I roll my eyes. “You really think highly of yourself, don’t you?”

He taps his chin, pretending to think. “Well, when you’ve got this much charm, it’s hard not to.”

I scoff. He is infuriating but intriguing, I have to admit. “Right. And what would I owe you for such an offer?” My mind races, I don’t really believe he has any control over that, and taunting me with it makes my blood start to boil.

Ash shrugs, the mischievous glint never leaving his gaze. “Who says you’d owe me anything?”