29. Erasthai

"What?" I ask, taking great pains to wedge between our thrones a little distance as I push mine from his.

I should know better. I end up looking stupid. I always do stupid things around Rune. That's the only explanation for trying to move a throne that is fixed to the ground.

"You're a clown," he mutters, angling toward me and propping his head against his wrist.

The glint in his green eyes is mischievous and a crafty smile teases his lips. "I quite like your aggressive side, Red."

I blink. Heat creeps up my neck, spreading further until I'm pretty sure I have a full body flush going on. Does he call me Red to turn me Red?

"Piss off," I say, settling in beside him awkwardly.

Now I'm all self conscious. Touching my hair, twirling it around my fingers, rubbing my arms, peeling off the coat of my nail polish, all in a bid to ignore the fact that Rune's eyes are trained on me.

Why in the three realms is he looking at me?

Why is he even talking t