I sat down on the couch, sipping a cup of hot chocolate that Kasteil had quietly made for me while I sulked. The mug was warm against my palms, steam curling up in soft wisps, carrying the rich scent of cocoa and a hint of vanilla. Chow Chow had climbed onto my lap the moment I sat, her massive, fluffy body settling like a living blanket. Her head rested on my thighs, black tongue lolling happily as she panted in contentment. I scratched behind her ears absently, grateful for the distraction—anything to keep my hands busy and my eyes anywhere but on him.
"I'm sorry," Kasteil said. He was sitting right beside me—close enough that our thighs brushed, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him—but I refused to look at him. I kept my gaze fixed on Chow Chow's thick fur, fingers buried in it like it could shield me from the conversation I didn't want to have.
