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I picked up a pea in my fingers and threw it at him.
He raised an arm to fend off the vegetable and laughed. "If you didn't like peas, you could have said so.”
"I don't mind peas," I said. "I just don't like being laughed at."
"Would I dare to do that?" His eyes shone with mischief.
I cocked my head and thought back to that night. I couldn't remember him laughing, but that didn't mean he wouldn't.
"Yes, I think you would." I picked up a fork and stabbed it into my chicken like I was stabbing it into him.
He grinned. "I might." He picked up his own fork. "Are you okay?"
"That depends how you define okay," I said slowly. "I mean, I'm far from normal."
"Always with a joke." His expression was serious for a change. "We've been through a lot. Plenty of people would be curled up in a ball, or drinking themselves silly right now."
"I won't rule out drinking too much later," I said. "As for the rest, I don't know. Maybe it hasn't sunk in yet." I looked at him evenly. Was he hoping I would cry on his shoulder? That wasn't really my style. I was more the cry-into-my-pillow-until-I-fall-asleep kind.
Dex nodded. "I'm here if you need me. For—whatever you need. Even if it's just someone to throw peas at." Only his eyes showed his amusement.
I snorted. "I'll remember that. I might need to keep a few in my pocket, just in case." I nodded toward the food. "This is good."
"Of course," he replied. "When is it not?"
"Now that I think about it, I can't remember a time," I admitted.
"If the cooks aren't at the top of their game, they'd be out." He popped a forkful of rice into his mouth.
"Let me guess, you'd have them executed?" I put down my fork and picked up a glass of water to take a sip.
"That's a bit extreme, but I'll consider that next time," he said once he'd swallowed.
"Do you actually execute anyone?" I asked. "Or do you just threaten?"
"If I told you that, you might be less scared of me," Dex said.
"I'm not scared of you now," I told him.
"Remind me to try harder then."
"You want me to be scared of you?" I gave him a questioning look.
He considered that for a moment. "Not really, no. If I know you at all, it takes a lot to make you fearful."
"Well, I am a badass," I said modestly.
For some reason, that made him grin. "Yes, you are." His grin soon faded and he shifted in his seat. "I was wondering. You have other siblings?"
I stopped with my fork halfway to my mouth. I lowered my arm.
"Three brothers and three sisters," I said slowly. "Two brothers now. Three step, two half."
Dex looked disappointed. "No full siblings?"
"Just the one who died," I said. "He…" I swallowed. "He took his own life. Or so I've always been told." Now I wasn't so sure.
"You don't think that's what happened?" Dex asked.
