Page 47 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

“Do you like cats or dogs, by the way? I can get you one of either or three of both?”

I blink rapidly, trying to keep up with his erratic questions.

“I like cats. It’s the attitude. Dogs just love you and fart. But cats, they always surprise you. I think you’re more of a cat person, aren’t you?”

He whirls and catches up my forearms, grabbing me before I can fall backwards. Rolly smiles. It makes my stomach flutter in a way that isn’t the same as being scared.

“Cats?” he asks.

I nod. I would agree to anything with him this close to me, turning my brain to gibberish.

He beams, and it’s like the light of the sun. It’s dazzling.

He spins me around and then grabs my wrist and pulls me to the lounge.

“Do you want to play cardswith me?”

Cards?

I narrow my eyes and watch Rolly’s hands intently. I’m not sure if he’s cheating or just really good at this game, but he’s winning every single hand and has an enormous pile of chocolate pieces in front of him.

I want those chocolate pieces.

Rolly rocks back and cackles when he wins another hand.

“I win again.”

I look between the cards, then grab his hand, turning it this way and that.

He gasps. “I’m offended! I would never cheat.”

I crawl closer to him, checking his sleeves and lap, while he laughs and tries to fend me off. I don’t find anything. Not a single thing.

With a disgusted growl, I sit back and snarl.

He waggles his finger. “I have the luck of all the gods when it comes to cards.”

I stare at him mutinously, then glance at the pile of chocolate. I grab a handful and run.

He howls in outrage and chases me. I run faster, smiling and laughing as I duck through the house. I open a door and slip in, closing it quickly before he rounds the corner.

The chocolate goes into my mouth, then I turn and stop dead.

Blaze is wearing a deep teal hanfu and has a blade in his hand. I recognise the sword as one called a Dao, it’s got one edge, but it’s the movements that have me frozen. He moves like water, flowing this way and that, the sword an extension of his arm.

He is beautiful.

Rolly scoffs. “Don’t get distracted by his peacock dance. He’s just showing off and trying to get your attention.”

I widen my eyes, glancing at him then away.It’s working!

Blaze doesn’t acknowledge either of us. The room is empty in the middle, it’s just a big area and a mat. There are five swords on the wall in a display cabinet. It’s a very stark and strange space, made more so by the incredible skill and grace of the alpha who is lost in his movements.

“Blaze learned to dance with the blades when he was really young. He protected his brother, probably too much. He and Kota have different dads, but Blaze’s dad made him learn things he thought would be useful.”

What is useful?I wonder uneasily. Because while this dance is very beautiful, it looks like he could take down an army.

I turn to Rolly, deliberately looking at him.