"Why do you push me away again, my Queen?" Silver murmured, his voice softening into a low, theatrical whine that vibrated against her skin. He didn't loosen his grip immediately; instead, he tilted his head, looking down at her with a look of mock hurt.
"I am your faithful jester, am I not? Do I not deserve a single warm embrace after such a long absence... and especially after that brutal slap just a moment ago? The world is truly a cold, lonely place without your affection."
Evangeline's jaw clenched so hard the muscles in her neck strained. Reaching down, she aggressively grabbed his wrists, her fingers digging into his leather gloves as she pried his arms off her waist with cold, terrifying strength.
"Get lost in that bath, Silver," she hissed, stepping backward to put distance between them. Her sharp eyes burned with dangerous crimson in the dim light. "I am barely holding myself back from slamming your skull into that stone wall."
