After much stalking, pouting, and demanding, I finally stilled. Arms crossed, lips pursed, brow furrowed in the deep contemplation of a man who had absolutely been bested but refused to admit it. I sighed, dramatically, throwing my head back. "Why won't she let me in?"
Arbor's lights flashed. A few quick blinks, then a soft, pitying hum in the walls. My jaw tightened. "I called out her deep emotions she wasn't ready to face," I repeated flatly. "Huff. What kind of cheap romance novel bullshit is this?"
A flicker. My head snapped up. "Excuse me?"
Another flicker. I gasped, scandalized. "I am not your personal romance novel, Arbor!"
The lights flickered again. Then again. Then again. Laughter. Pure, delighted, mocking laughter. I growled, pointing a finger at the ceiling. "You are enjoying this far too much."
A single, long blink. Yes. Yes, I am.
I let out a sound somewhere between a sigh and a growl, running a hand through my hair. "This is supposed to be my house. I am your god. You should be loyal to me!"
More flickering. More laughter. "Betrayal," I declared, throwing up my hands. "Utter betrayal! Just wait, Arbor. When she does let me back in? I am going to be the worst."
Silence.
Finally, A slow, steady, utterly unbothered blink. A we will see about that. I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. "I hate you."
Another blink. No, you do not. Drama king.
"Stop reading my soul, Arbor! It's very rude!"
I started pacing like a caged animal. "Bloody hells, do I have to apologize for this?!"
A flicker. I froze. "No. Absolutely not. I've apologized too much lately! I hate it! I am a god! I am not sorry!"
Silence. Which was worse. "Arbor!" I groaned, throwing my hands up. "Damn it! Fine! If you open the door, I will apologize!"
A flicker. Then another, slower. Skeptical. "I'm not lying! I will!"
A long, drawn-out blink. Considering. I crossed my arms, glaring. "Any day now, traitor."
The door did not open. "Arbor, I swear to—"
Another long flicker. Taunting. I gasped. "You don't believe me, do you?"
Another flicker. Obviously. "This is ridiculous!" I flung my head back. "Reduced to negotiating with my own house! I hate this!"
Silence. "Fine! I am sorry!" I snapped.
The door creaked open. I narrowed my eyes. "That was too easy."
A single flicker. No take backs. I sighed, rubbing my temple. "This is what my life has become."
Apologizing to mortals and the damn house. Knuckles tapped against the frame as I stepped inside. Annie looked up from her book.
"Annie, are you okay?" The words slipped out before I realized, and I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Damn it, I did it again." Quoting song lyrics. Accidentally.
I straightened, clearing my throat. "What I meant was… Annie, I-- I was rude."
Her brow lifted. Surprise flickered in her eyes.
"All the gods damn it!" I threw up my hands. "Fine! Annie, I am sorry for teasing you!"
The silence that followed was unbearable. From her. From Arbor. Both stunned.
"I… I won't make you face anything you're not ready to," I added, softer this time. "I won't tease you about the big things again."
Still silence. "Ugh! How much more of an apology do you want?!"
Her lips curved. A small, dangerous smile. "None."
The word nearly knocked the air out of me. Relief and disbelief tangled in my chest. "None?"
"None," she confirmed.
And something shifted. The air thickened. The space between us shrank. Her tilted head wasn't an invitation. Not exactly. But it was enough. Enough to unravel me. I stepped closer. Then closer still. She didn't move away. Didn't look away. That was all it took. The last thread of restraint snapped. I crushed my mouth to hers, deep, urgent, devouring. She met me without hesitation, hands in my shirt, demanding more. And oh, I gave it to her.