You took what?!

She suddenly switched gears, giggling like a schoolgirl and calling out with cutesy, exaggerated gestures that had no fucking right to look that adorable.

"Wait, Matriarch! It was a joke! A joke!"

Artis practically shouted, his hands flying up in surrender.

She was testing him—pushing his buttons, tugging at his patience, and laughing while doing it. And fuck, it was working.

Every fiber of his being wanted to snap, but he decided to play along instead, plastering on the fakest smile he could muster.

'I need to figure out this side of her... so I can plan my next move. Fucking hell, she's unpredictable.'

He thought, grinding his teeth behind his grin.

"Ha! I was just kidding, Junior Apprentice."

She said, waving him off like he was some little bug under her thumb.