Page 80 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Uh huh,” said Raine as he patted her cheek and turned to enter the castle, leaving her alone on the steps.
25
Ava paced in the living room of her suite, poring over each interaction she’d had with Casimir. The touches. The flirting. The almost kisses. Everything since the night at the tavern. After her conversation with Raine the other day, she couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said. Casimir had barely spoken to her outside of training since they had gone dancing. Since she basically turned him down.
Shit.
The door opened and Casimir walked in, halting in the middle of the room. “I can hear you pacing and mumbling to yourself down the hallway. What’s wrong?”
She whirled toward him. “You’re joking.”
He smiled at her as if he knew why she was upset. “I don’t make jokes.”
“You insufferable oaf, what do you mean you don’t make jokes?”
His smile grew as he took a step forward. “Why are you angry?”
“You!” She let out a sigh of frustration as she put her hands on her hips.
Raising an eyebrow, he crossed his arms. “And?”
“And? That’s all you have to say?”
“What would you like me to say?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “You’re so hot and cold all the time. What happened the night of the tavern? Why have you ignored me since?”
He tilted his head. “Why don’tyoutellmewhat happened that night at the tavern?”
“Stop answering my questions with another question!” He stood there, grinning at her. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps.”
She glared at him.
“Use your words, Ava. Tell me why you’re mad at me.”
She pointed her finger at him. “Don’t patronize me. Ever since the tavern, you can barely look at me, acting like nothing happened that night.”
He walked a couple of steps closer and stopped. “So, tell me what happened that night.”
“I don’t know! You acted like you wanted to…and then you didn’t and went into your room. And ever since you’ve been aloof.”
“Acted like I wanted to what?” His voice lowered.
“You know…”
“Tell me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Like you wanted to…you’re purposely trying to irritate me right now, aren’t you?”
His smile didn’t falter.
She stared at him, willing him to say why he’s been acting so strange. The breeze moving the curtains and the crackle of the fire were the only sounds as she held his gaze.
“Do you want to know why I’ve been avoiding eye contact with you?” he asked, his voice low and soft. “Why I look away every time you look at me?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
