I blinked as Thalindra's words hung in the air, her smirk practically oozing smug satisfaction.
A faint, ominous chill crawled up my spine, as if her mischievous energy alone could summon chaos. My mind scrambled to figure out what kind of fresh punishment—or "lesson"—she had in store for me now.
"Uh…" I began, my voice uncertain. "What does that mean exactly?"
Thalindra leaned back in her chair, lacing her fingers together as she regarded me like a predator toying with its prey. "Oh, you'll see soon enough."
The fox—who had been lying peacefully by the fire lifted his head, tilted it in my direction, and then promptly flopped back down with a huff.
Even he seemed to sense that I was in for it, and for once, I felt like he and I were on the same page.
"Can we just… play a different game?" I tried hopefully, shifting in my seat. "Maybe something a little less… high-stakes?"