"Because you don't deserve to die from some coward's poison."
Through the bond, his emotions shifted. Surprise rippled through first, then something warmer that made her chest constrict.
"Careful, Pufftail." His voice dropped, softened. "Keep saying things like that and I might start thinking you actually care."
"I do care." Wish's fingers pressed more firmly against his chest. "You've been kind to me."
"Kind." Aurex tested the word like it was foreign on his tongue. "That's not usually how people describe me."
"Then they don't know you very well."
His reaction flooded through the bond before he could mask it. Surprise. Pleasure. Something fragile and vulnerable that he quickly buried beneath amusement.
"You barely know me either," he pointed out.
"I know enough."
